7 in 10 are concerned about the cost of Christmas

7 in 10 UK adults are concerned about the cost of Christmas this year, according to a new survey commissioned by social impact company and food waste app, Too Good To Go.

Concerns are so drastic nationally, 62% of those surveyed said they'd be stopping some-kind of Christmas tradition to try and cut costs. Of these 62%, ¼ are not buying luxury advent calendars, 19% won’t send Christmas cards, and 14% won't buy a Christmas tree.

With cost a major factor in people’s minds this Christmas, food waste is a key concern when it comes to money-saving. Not only are we aiming to spend less on food this Christmas, but 46% are concerned about the amount of food they'll waste over the festive period, with a majority (55%) citing it being a waste of money.

An average of 19% more food waste is produced over Christmas than any other time of the year. But this latest survey suggests 2022 may be different, as Brits are rethinking some of their usual festive food traditions in a bid to minimise costs. 

Almost a third of UK adults (31%) are planning on reducing the overall amount of food they would normally buy and consume over the festive period, whether it be purchasing fewer traditional or limited-edition Christmas treats i.e. sandwiches or mince pies, cooking food from scratch as opposed to buying pre-made items, or cooking smaller portions at home. 

A further 12% will change their traditional turkey Christmas Day lunch in favour of a cheaper option. Other food habits Brits are changing in a bid to save money including cutting out meat, buying more local produce and prioritising recipes that repurpose leftovers.

Jamie Crummie, Co-Founder of Too Good To Go, the organisation behind this data, said: "This research sadly shows Christmas may be particularly challenging for many of us amidst the rising cost of living. But we can also see that people in the UK are increasingly finding new ways to help keep costs to a minimum, particularly when it comes to food waste. 

"Tackling food waste, -something which usually increases over the festive period, can't only be helpful for our planet, but it can also be a hugely beneficial and simple way to save money. That’s why at Too Good To Go we’re proud that our food-saving model can help people access quality food for a more affordable price. 

"We’ll also be sharing easy tips and zero-waste recipes on our social media and blog to help minimise food waste at home for a low-cost Christmas.”

Too Good To Go is the free app that lets consumers buy surplus food and drink from retailers, restaurants, cafes, pubs and producers to stop it from going to waste. Businesses simply update the app to show how much surplus food they have to sell. Customers then search the app for local stores, purchase their bag of food for a fraction of its original retail value, and collect at the pre-set time to take home and enjoy.

Find out more at www.toogoodtogo.co.uk or @toogoodtogo.uk on Instagram.