UK Homeowners Set To Spread Festive Cheer This Christmas
14 December 2015
It is the season of goodwill and more than a third of us will ensure we spread some festive cheer this Christmas, according to a new survey.
The research, by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, found that 36% of us will thank our postmen, bin men and teachers with either money or a gift this year.
Posties are the most popular workers to be shown some Christmas cheer with 17% of us planning to send some seasonal joy in their direction. Meanwhile just over one in ten (12%) of us will thank the bin men and some 7% of us will show our appreciation for our children’s teachers.
London is the most generous region with 56% saying thank you with money or a gift compared to just a quarter of those surveyed in Wales.
Regional breakdown of those who thank postman, bin men and teachers:
| Region | Percentage of those surveyed |
|---|---|
| London | 56% |
| Scotland | 44% |
| South East | 40% |
| UK average | 36% |
| East | 36% |
| North East | 36% |
| North West | 34% |
| Yorkshire | 33% |
| Midlands | 30% |
| South West | 26% |
| Wales | 25% |
Unsurprisingly it is presents which have come out top as being the biggest outlay for UK homeowners this Christmas.
The survey found that gifts were the most significant outgoing for almost three quarters (74%) of UK homeowners whilst 24% were more focused on socialising with family and friends.
| Region | Presents | Socialising i.e. going out and food and drink | Other i.e. party outfits |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | 85% | 14% | 1% |
| Wales | 80% | 18% | 2% |
| East | 80% | 18% | 2% |
| North West | 78% | 20% | 2% |
| South West | 77% | 23% | 0% |
| Scotland | 76% | 24% | 0% |
| Yorkshire | 76% | 23% | 1% |
| UK average | 74% | 24% | 2% |
| Midlands | 72% | 26% | 2% |
| South East | 71% | 27% | 2% |
| London | 58% | 38% | 4% |
The biggest Christmas party animals can be found in the 25 to 34 age group where the greatest expenditure for 31% is socialising compared to 26% of those between 16 and 24, 25% of those from 45 to 54 and 22% of those between 35 and 44 as well as those aged 55 and over.
Steve Fletcher, Director, Retail Banking, said: “For most people the festive season is a great time to spend with family and friends however it can also bring financial pressures. Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks can help to spread the cost of Christmas with our highly competitive Gold MasterCard* which offers 0% interest on purchases for 26 months from the opening of the account.”
For further information on credit cards or other available products, customers can visit any branch, contact 0800 202 122 (Yorkshire Bank), 0800 222 426 (Clydesdale Bank), (opening hours 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun.) or visit www.cbonline.co.uk for Clydesdale Bank or www.ybonline.co.uk for Yorkshire Bank.
You can find impartial information and guidance on money matters on the “Money advice service” website.
Clydesdale Bank is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Find out more.