Economic worries put family at the heart of Christmas

An iVillage.co.uk poll of British women reveals that 61% have not saved for Christmas, 23% are facing the festive season knee deep in debt and 75% are cutting back; but for families across the UK, this is good news.

According to the survey by the UK’s leading women’s website, this year women will focus their Christmas cheer firmly on their nearest and dearest. A massive 82% of women told iVillage that they plan to save money by only buying presents for the family, cutting out gifts for friends and work colleagues. Thirty three per cent of women revealed they will invest the same or more than last year in gifts and food for their loved ones; whilst 57% of women plan to stay at home with the family instead of going out with friends.

Surprisingly, single women feel the same. 75% of single women polled told iVillage that they too will focus their spending on their parents and siblings, instead of their friends. Whilst 15% of single women will cancel this year’s Christmas holiday, 40% still plan to travel to see family.

The survey also showed that whilst 37% of women may be cancelling general travel plans for Christmas, 41% plan to visit extended family instead.

By cutting out unnecessary gift buying, entertaining and travel, 34% of British women hope to save £100 or more from their Christmas budget.

Commenting on the results, Vino Vethavanam, Editor-in-Chief at iVillage.co.uk, says; “Just because there is less money around certainly doesn’t mean there will be less Christmas cheer! Cutting back this Christmas is a great chance to get back to basics and embrace the true meaning of the season – spending time and saying ‘thank you’ to the people you love. Economic worries seem to be impacting “silly spending” or mass consumerism without a purpose. Christmas 2008 will hopefully be more heartfelt.”

As women mostly control the Christmas purse strings, iVillage.co.uk set out to find just how much the recent credit crunch will affect women’s spending this season. The results have shaped the site’s Christmas focus, which will highlight how women can save this Christmas without giving up on fun. From celebrity Christmas lunches, homemade drinks and cocktails, entertaining on a budget, to maternity party wear, pre party pampering, skin savers, do’s and don’ts of Christmas parties and lots of gift guides, iVillage.co.uk’s Christmas site can be found at ivillage.co.uk/Christmas