Romanians are being more cautious with their Christmas spending this year, preparing fewer or lower-value gifts to place under the tree, amid end-of-year uncertainties. According to a national survey conducted by tbi bank on a sample of 1,171 respondents, 6 in 10 Romanians have allocated no more than 700 RON for gifts. For 84 percent of respondents, the budget is either similar to or lower than last year’s, even though 8 in 10 noticed that the prices of the products they plan to give as gifts have risen by up to 30 percent compared to 2023.

Over 33 percent of respondents have allocated a budget between 700 and 1,000 RON for Christmas gifts, while 9 percent have exceeded 1,500 RON. However, only 16 percent 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 percent 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 percent of respondents are preparing 2-3 gifts this year, while 32 percent have 4-5 gifts on their shopping list. The most sought-after products include fashion items (40.8 percent), beauty products (38.8 percent), toys (29.4 percent), electronics (24.2 percent), and home & deco items (20.7 percent), 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 percent of participants were women, and nearly 39 percent reported a net income exceeding 5,000 RON.