9 Jan, 2026
One in three (33%) adults who celebrate Christmas spent more than they budgeted during the 2025 festive period, new research has revealed.
The study from IE Hub, one of the UK’s leading free online budgeting tools, showed 12% of people went into debt to fund their Christmas spending, with an average overspend of £228.68.
Men spent £275.60 more than they budgeted and women went over budget by £198.61. The age range that overspent the most is millennials, with an average of £284.83.
Splurging at Christmas continues to have a long-term impact on household finances. When asked how long they think it will take them to pay off their debt, the average time is four months, with more than one in five (21%) saying they anticipate repayments will take over six months.
When it comes to managing this debt:
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23% will work extra hours
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21% will use credit cards
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18% will sell belongings
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6% will ask family or friends for help
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5% will take out emergency loans
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5% will seek debt advice
Dylan Jones, CEO at
IE Hub says:
“This latest research shows that there is a growing reliance on credit and other short-term measures, showing that Christmas spending continues to put pressure on household finances.
“What’s particularly worrying is how many are turning to credit cards or selling belongings to manage the aftermath. This cycle of overspending and delayed repayment can leave households financially stretched well into the new year, with little breathing room before the next big expense.
“Financial management tools like IE Hub are designed to help people plan ahead, set realistic budgets, and manage repayments safely, so they can start the year without unnecessary financial strain.”
