Christmas Budget: How Much Will the French Spend?
The average budget for Christmas gifts in 2024 is €261.40, up from €245.50 in 2023, according to a Havas study. However, 40% of French people are keeping their spending under €200 for their end-of-year purchases.
Spending Under Control, Small Gifts Still Popular
In 2024, 56% of French people plan to limit their holiday spending, a slight decline from last year’s 60%. Nevertheless, small gifts remain as popular as they were in 2023. This trend is supported by a slight increase in the overall gift budget, with an average rise of 16 euros compared to 2023.
Gift Budget Rises Slightly
The average budget for Christmas gifts in 2024 is €261.40, up from €245.50 in 2023. However, 40% of French people are keeping their spending under €200 for their end-of-year purchases.
Brick-and-mortar stores remain essential, with 50% of French people combining online and in-store shopping. Christmas window displays continue to attract shoppers, influencing the purchasing decisions of 39% of consumers. At the same time, e-commerce remains popular, with 72% of French people shopping on platforms such as Amazon, Action, and Vinted, driven by prices and delivery times.
Deferred Payment Solutions and Loans Well Received
Although this is a new issue, deferred payment solutions are being well received: 26% of French people are considering using them. In addition, 11% say they are willing to take out a loan for their Christmas shopping.
Early Christmas Shopping and Black Friday on the Rise
51% of French consumers plan to do their Christmas shopping in November, with 23% planning to shop specifically on Black Friday—a sharp increase (+7 points) compared to 2023. This trend toward early shopping is part of a broader effort to optimize spending, similar to the use of installment payments and shopping at discount stores.
Amazon, the undisputed leader in Christmas shopping and Black Friday
One in two French people plans to participate in Black Friday this year, whether for Christmas gifts or other purchases. Among them, 51% of French people name Amazon as the top retailer for Black Friday deals. The platform also remains the top source of inspiration for Christmas gifts; 66% (+2 percentage points vs. 2022) of product searches in France will start on Amazon this year, and among Prime members, 77% will begin their searches on Amazon.
Social Media: New Sources of Inspiration and Shopping
Social media is becoming a must-have for Christmas: 14% of French people turn to it for shopping inspiration (+4 points compared to 2023), and 9% say they make purchases there (+3 points). Among those under 35, these figures are even more pronounced, with 36% finding gift ideas there (+13 points) and nearly a quarter making purchases directly on these platforms (+12 points).
Eco-friendly consumption and experience gifts on the rise
47% of French people are looking to give eco-friendly, local, or socially responsible gifts. Experience gifts continue to gain ground, with 23% of respondents preferring them in 2024 compared to 17% in 2021, reflecting a return to normalcy on a social level.
