There are lots of big numbers associated with Christmas. And as ‘big data’ is something close to our hearts at CleverAdviser, we thought we’d share some interesting statistics. Did you know, for example, that …
- approx 10 million turkeys are consumed in the UK each year
- 8 million real Christmas trees are bought
- 300 million crackers are pulled
- 25 million Christmas puddings are consumed
- 9,875 tonnes of sprouts are eaten
- and 7 million mince pies are left for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve!
On a more serious note, the average family spent £835 celebrating Christmas last year. Of this, £161 went on food and drink and the rest on gifts (£634), with cards, trees and decorations accounting for around £40. But nearly a quarter (23%) of Britons feel under pressure to spend more than they can afford, according to research from the Money Advice Trust’s National Debtline. Retailers last year took £24bn over Christmas.
It’s all too easy to let spending get out of control and detract from what the season should be about, such as spending time with loved ones etc. These practical tips are always worth remembering:
- take control of your finances and produce a realistic Christmas budget – then stick to it!
- start saving early for Christmas and then the more you’ll have available to spend.
- write a gift list and keep to it – don’t be sucked in by the power of expensive adverts!
Be a savvy shopper – be sure to shop around and browse online to compare prices – homemade gifts are often all the more appreciated because of the time and attention that has gone into them.
At CleverAdviser, we focus on taking the emotion out of the investment process and concentrating on hard data instead. This in turn gives people peace of mind so they can focus on what is important to them.
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