The French and Christmas gifts

For over a year now, the French have had to contend with galloping inflation: soaring prices for fuel, energy, food, etc. Although a slowdown is beginning at the end of this year, the French will undoubtedly have to wait several months before seeing an improvement in their purchasing power.

What impact will this have on Christmas 2023?

Will the French buy fewer gifts, reduce their budgets or spread out their purchases? Are they more stressed than in previous years? Store or internet, which channel will they prefer?

Autone, the startup that disrupts and reinvents inventory optimization, has conducted a study with OpinionWay to shed light on how the French are approaching Christmas in this unprecedented period. And the findings are clear: while they don't intend to give up Christmas, rising prices will clearly affect the way they celebrate the festive season.

• 6 out of 10 French people (61%) believe that their Christmas spending will be strongly affected by price rises.

• 64% intend to change their habits to save money, in particular by buying cheaper gifts (67%, +11 pts), reducing the gift budget for adults (66%), making more economical meals (61%, +9 pts) or even not buying a Christmas tree (49%, +4 pts).

• 39% of French people would prefer not to celebrate Christmas this year because of rising prices. This figure rises to 50% in the 35-49 age group.

• More than 1 in 2 French people (54%) are stressed by the budget they have to spend on Christmas presents (+7 pts vs 2021).

• The French plan to spend an average of €304 on Christmas gifts (+8% vs. 2021), evenly split between stores and e-commerce.

• More than half of French people plan to reduce their spending on clothes (55%), outings (55%) or vacations (50%) in order to finance their Christmas presents.

• 1 in 5 French people would be prepared to sacrifice their mother-in-law if they had to cancel a gift because of rising prices, just behind nephews and nieces (22%) and godparents (30%).