ALMOST a quarter of people are dreading the financial burden of Christmas, according to a new study out today.
Despite warnings that this could be the worst December yet for shopkeepers, many revellers are still planning to spend money on presents and entertaining, according to a Tesco Personal Finance survey.
But after a hike in retail prices and interest rates, it could be a gloomy festive season for some. The survey, which polled 2,000 people in October, found that 22% of respondents thought money concerns would spoil their enjoyment of Christmas.
Almost four in 10 people (39%) expressed concern over the rising cost of heating bills, as wholesale gas prices reach high levels.
The quarterly Mood Of The Nation poll found a generally more pessimistic view than the previous survey in August.
Not surprisingly, 42% of people believed they would spend more money over the Christmas period than they would in summer.
But more than a third of participants (36%) said they were feeling optimistic in the weeks before the season of goodwill and just over half of all respondents (53%) remained undaunted by the cost of Christmas.
The survey also found that not all festive worries were linked with cash flow, as 28% of people confessed they feared the prospect of Christmas in general.
John Trotter, head of customer insight at Tesco Personal Finance, said: "It could be that, as we move into autumn, the prospect of the colder winter weather and family tensions erupting over the Christmas period are contributing to the dip. While many people look forward to the end of the year, for others the festive season can be a source of stress."
The survey comes days after retail analyst Richard Ratner warned high street firms were on the brink of their worst Christmas season for quarter of a century.
