At the other end of the spectrum, over 33% of respondents have allocated a budget between RON 700 and 1,000 for Christmas gifts, while 9% have exceeded RON 1,500. However, only 16% of respondents said they allocated a higher budget this year compared to last year, the tbi bank survey reveals.

“Christmas is truly a special time when we enjoy pleasant and relaxing moments with loved ones at the end of a tiring year. However, when it comes to gift shopping, we must remember that we are in a social and economic context marked by tensions. Beyond being cautious with expenses, we see that many people stick to the budget available from their salary, bonuses, or savings, or look for alternative payment solutions such as Buy Now, Pay Later with interest-free installments, showing a more prudent approach than in previous years,” said Ionuț Sabadac, VP Merchant Solutions at tbi.

79% of respondents said they planned their Christmas gift shopping in advance, with some taking advantage of Black Friday discounts to purchase items for the holiday, thereby easing some of the financial pressure on their December budget. About 42% of respondents are preparing 2-3 gifts this year, while 32% have 4-5 gifts on their shopping list. The most sought-after products include fashion items (40.8%), beauty products (38.8%), toys (29.4%), electronics (24.2%), and home & deco items (20.7%), according to the tbi bank survey. Gifts are chosen based on the specific preferences of the recipients, say nearly 9 in 10 respondents, while the rest opt for universal gifts that would suit anyone.

The tbi bank survey analyzed consumer habits and preferences during the Christmas season. It was conducted in October 2024, nationwide, via the iVox platform, with a total sample of 1,171 internet users from Romania. Over 48% of participants were women, and nearly 39% reported a net income exceeding RON 5,000.