A recent study conducted by the European fintech company Blackcatcard and the international data analysis group YouGov sheds light on the spending habits of Greek consumers for the upcoming festive season. From gift budgets to Christmas shopping timelines and desired presents, the findings offer a snapshot of holiday behaviors in Greece and beyond.
How Much Are Greeks Spending?
Greek consumers are planning to allocate on average 190 euros on the festive season’s gifts, placing them in the mid-range category among other European counties. The most generous spenders in Europe are the Maltese (331 euros) and the French (330 euros).
Breaking down the data further, one in three Greeks intend to spend less than 100 euros , while 38% is willing to spend a total amount of 100 to 250 euros, with a mere 1% expects splurge more than 1,000 euros on gifts.
When Do Greeks Shop?
Unlike shoppers in Germany and France, where 9% start their holiday purchases as early as October, Greek consumers tend to delay their preparations. Most begin considering gifts only after November. Most Greeks prefer to do their Christmas shopping around mid-December or a week before Christmas Day (26%).
Last-minute shopping is equally popular, with 8% of Greeks shop on Christmas Eve, a trend also seen in countries like Estonia (11%), Lithuania (10%), Portugal, and Italy (9%). Interestingly, 11% of Greeks continue buying gifts even after Christmas.
What Gifts Do Greeks Want?
When asked, “What kind of gifts would you like to receive for Christmas?” nearly half of Greeks (48%) mentioned travel packages. This aligns with broader European trends, as 50% of respondents in Latvia and Lithuania also favor travel-related presents.
The second most desired gift in Greece is a new smartphone (39%), which also ranks in the top five in many other countries, including Malta (38%) and Spain (32%). Fashion items, including clothing, footwear, and accessories, round out the top three at 33% for Greek consumers.
The Spirit of Giving
Regarding social contribution as a way to express the Christmas spirit, about three in ten people across all countries surveyed wish to make charitable donations or participate in community activities this Christmas, with this figure doubling in Malta.
According to the survey, 26% of Greeks and French respondents expressed their intention to contribute in good causes reflecting a commitment to spreading goodwill during this Christmas season.
