Based on late 2025/early 2026 data, over 14.5 million people (more than one in four) in the UK will struggle to afford Christmas, with roughly 1.5 million unable to celebrate at all. Approximately 1 in 6 parents (15-16%) cannot afford presents for their children, while 1 in 5 children may receive no gifts, rising to 1 in 4 in single-parent households.
New research*, commissioned by Family Action, reveals the emotional toll of festive financial pressures on parents/carers surveyed: 55% say they won't be able to afford presents for someone this Christmas. 1 in 6 (15%) say they can't afford a gift for their own child.
What is the average Christmas budget for a family?
Googe says- While averages hover around $800-$1000 for gifts, total holiday spending for a family can easily reach $1200-$1800 or more, depending heavily on income and priorities. What this means is, do not spend beyond your priorities! Give gifts on purpose instead of just because.
But first, some statistics: 84% find Christmas or other festive periods to be stressful or triggering. [1] 77% think their mental health worsens around the Christmas and the festive period.
Key findings: One in five US adults (21%) borrowed money to cover Christmas-related spending in 2025. Gifts were the main driver of borrowing, with 77% of holiday borrowers using credit to pay for presents. Most borrowers (68%) took on less than $1,000 in Christmas-related debt.
"My kids love Christmas. But I can't afford it" | Christmas on Universal Credit
Is $1000 a lot to spend on Christmas?
'You're Not in Congress': Dave Ramsey Says Your Christmas Gift Budget Should Include Only 'What You Can Pay CASH For' For a lot of us, Christmas is effectively a financial D-Day. The average shopper shells out over $1,000 on Christmas presents.
According to a recent survey conducted by MedStar Health, 74% of Americans said Christmas is stressful – and 55% said it's the most stressful holiday of the year.
"Around $25–$50 is thoughtful without being too much. If you're super close (or she's always spoiling you), $75–$150 is generous but not over the top," read Moonsift's website. "Honestly, it's less about the price and more about the thought.
Christmas can be difficult for anyone, at any point in their life. You might be struggling this year for the first time. Or you may have found Christmas difficult in the past, and you're dreading it again this year. You may also enjoy Christmas, but not be able to celebrate it how you'd like to.
Health Care Costs Number One Cause of Bankruptcy for American Families. The cost of health care is a major concern for nearly all Americans and there is no shortage of health care related news coverage recently. Understandably, there are lots of questions and forecasts about what might be about to happen.
Whether Muslims can say "Merry Christmas" is debated, with some scholars allowing it as a general greeting of goodwill (especially in secular contexts) as long as it doesn't affirm Christian beliefs about Jesus' divinity, while others advise avoiding it to prevent endorsing a religious festival contrary to Islamic tenets, suggesting neutral phrases like "Happy Holidays" instead. The core issue is balancing kindness and social harmony with core Islamic beliefs, particularly the strict monotheism (Tawhid) that rejects Jesus as God's son, which Christmas celebrates.
One in four Jewish Israelis either celebrate Christmas or are considering doing so this year, according to a new survey by the Mashav Channel in partnership with the Tzohar Index for Judaism and Tradition.
December 24: On this day (24 December, 1144 CE {18/19 Jumada al-Thani, 539 AH), Imad al-Din Zengi of the Oghuz Turkic Zengid Dynasty conquered the Crusader state of Edessa, after an almost one month-long siege. It was the first major victory Muslims had in the Crusades.
January's third Monday, commonly known as “Blue Monday”, is thought to be the most depressing day of the year. But spoiler alert: it isn't. This blog explores the myth that is 'Blue Monday' and how to look after our mental health against commercial influences.
The 3-3-3 rule for stress is a grounding technique to calm anxiety by bringing you to the present moment: name 3 things you see, then name 3 sounds you hear, and finally, move 3 parts of your body. This sensory-focused exercise interrupts overwhelming thoughts, helping you shift focus from internal worries to your external environment, providing quick relief during stressful situations.
Thanksgiving is America's most wasteful holiday. Thanksgiving tops the charts for waste, with millions of uneaten turkeys and side dishes headed for landfills. Photo credit: Depositphotos. Americans throw away, on average, more than 300 million pounds of food at Thanksgiving.
You may need to remind yourself again and again (and again and again) that it is absolutely okay to take a break from the holidays. No matter how many people try to shame you into coming to the holiday party or having everyone over for Christmas dinner, remember your needs and stay strong!
