Unwrapping the Secrets of Secret Santa Overspending: Brits Going 86% over Budget on Secret Santa
By Diana Howard
- 86% of Brits will go overbudget by an average of 50% on Secret Santa gifts this year
- Half of Brits (50%) are guilty of regifting a Secret Santa gift at least once
- A third of Brits (32%) have forgotten to buy a Secret Santa gift or have left it at home on the day
- Alcohol, candles and chocolates are the most common gifts (36%, 28% and 20% respectively)
The holiday season is in full swing, and so is the tradition of Secret Santa gift exchanges. However, a recent study by CouponBirds reveals that Brits are breaking the bank by overspending on Secret Santa gifts-going a whopping 50% beyond their set budgets. Let's unwrap the findings and delve into the quirks of this festive tradition.
The Overspending Trend
According to the research conducted by CouponBirds, despite the average Secret Santa budget being set at £10, 86% of Brits are planning to exceed that amount this year. It seems the festive spirit is prompting many to be more generous than planned.
Unwrapping Unpopular Gifts
Secret Santa, often considered a light-hearted tradition can sometimes result in unwelcome surprises with half of Brits (50%) openly admitting to having regifted a present they've been given during Secret Santa and nearly a fifth (19%) saying they do this regularly. Taking it a step further, nearly a fifth (19%) of individuals readily admit to being habitual re-gifters. As for the least favoured items to receive, the list includes condoms (24%), sex toys (21%), and anything personalised with their own face (21%).
The Forgotten Santas
In the chaos of the holiday season, it's not uncommon for Secret Santas to slip-up and forget their duties. A surprising 32% admitted to either forgetting to buy a Secret Santa gift or neglecting to bring it on the day of the exchange.
A substantial 24 million Brits (36%) have, at least once, experienced the festive delight of unwrapping a classic bottle of alcohol during Secret Santa, affirming its timeless status as one of the most cherished and commonly exchanged gifts. Other prevalent gifts include candles (28%), sweets and chocolates (20%), mugs (19%), books (17%), and biscuit tins (17%).
Top 10 most common Secret Santa gifts by the number who dislike receiving them
| Top 10 most common Secret Santa gifts | Number of Brits who have received them | Number of Brits who dislike receiving this gift |
| Alcohol | 11.9 million | 3.6 million |
| Candle | 9.2 million | 2.6 million |
| Sweets and chocolates | 6.6 million | 1.6 million |
| Mug | 6.2 million | 1.3 million |
| Books | 5.6 million | 2.6 million |
| Biscuit tin | 5.6 million | 2.6 million |
| Socks | 4.9 million | 1.6 million |
| Hand cream | 3.9 million | 1.9 million |
| Gift cards | 3.3 million | 1.6 million |
| Advent Calendar | 2.6 million | 2.6 million |
Commenting on the findings, Diana Howard, Financial Analyst at CouponBirds, said: "The fact that nearly 9 in ten Brits are overspending on Secret Santa gifts shows how much we value buying gifts for our colleagues, but with half guilty of regifting it seems like they're not always well received!"
"If you're looking for the perfect Secret Santa gift this year, you should always check CouponBirds to find the best discount codes - it might just help you stay in budget this year."
In conclusion, the study not only highlights the financial challenges of Secret Santa but also showcases the diversity of gifts exchanged during this festive tradition. As the holiday season continues, it's clear that Secret Santa remains a merry yet unpredictable affair for many Brits.
