Hungarians plan to spend HUF 11,000 more this Christmas

Yettel’s recent national research also revealed that our compatriots still mostly celebrate in a wider family circle, with relatives (49%) or close family (43%). If it is not possible to meet in person, two-thirds of the respondents keep in touch with their loved ones by mobile phone, half by text chat messages (compared to 2021, this has increased by more than 10 percent), and one-third by video call. Those who plan to celebrate with fewer people this year typically do so for financial reasons.

On average, Hungarians plan to give gifts to 6 people at Christmas, and the surprise amount is HUF 71,000, which, taking inflation into account, means a similar order of magnitude compared to last year’s HUF 60,000. The proportion of those planning to cut costs at Christmas has decreased compared to the previous year: while in 2022, 38 percent of all respondents planned to spend less on gifts or celebrations compared to the previous year, this year this proportion is only 29 percent. Those who spend less on gifts this year typically decide to do so because of the general economic situation or their own financial situation.

The majority of respondents plan to give gifts to their partner (66%), children (56%) or parents (53%). 41 percent surprise other relatives as well (last year this rate was only 36 percent), and this year more people also give gifts to friends (22% instead of 18%). When shopping, the most important aspect is that the surprise is personalized (71%), useful (59%) and reasonably priced (39%) – it is interesting that the latter was an important criterion for half of the respondents last year. Conversely, when receiving a gift, functionality comes first (57%), followed by the personal nature of the surprise (54%) and being a shared experience (33%). Furthermore, every second respondent prefers a surprise to receiving a pre-arranged gift.