40% of people plan on Christmas shopping earlier this year to reduce stress

According to a new survey commissioned by Secret Santa name generator DrawNames.co.uk, 40% of people are Christmas shopping earlier than they usually would and 10% even started shopping in October. Nearly one third (29%) cited wanting to reduce stress as the main reason for shopping earlier.

Just under a third of people surveyed (32%) said that they planned to spend more on Christmas this year than in 2020. With last year not being a ‘typical’ Christmas, it’s no surprise that 28% said it was because they wanted to make the event extra-special this year. Businesses have shown they are grateful to their employees, as 20% of people said they will spend more as they had a pay rise this year. The average amount that people plan to spend this year has increased by £55 (13%) from £423 last year to £478 this year.