Residents of Leeds are the most likely people in Britain to ask their guests to contribute to the cost of Christmas this year, a study revealed today.
Some 57 per cent of people living in the West Yorkshire city believe visitors should help pay for their dinner, according to the survey by MoneySuperMarket.
Those living in London, Glasgow and Liverpool are the next most likely to want their guests to cough up – with proportions of 51, 50 and 49 per cent respectively.
But only 33 per cent of Brighton’s residents believe those they are hosting should help towards the cost – followed by Birmingham and Nottingham, both 37 per cent.
The data was released in the firm’s Household Money Index, which also found the average UK family will spend £1,800 and host seven people this Christmas.
Overall, 46 per cent of Brits will ask their guests to contribute towards food and alcohol on the big day, saying they have an ‘obligation’ to help pay for it.
Women are more likely than men to expect a contribution, with 51 per cent of females agreeing guests should pay compared to only 40 per cent of men.
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The average UK family will spend £1,800 and host seven people this Christmas (stock picture)
Some 71 per cent of people stay local with family and friends, while 17 per cent travel abroad or elsewhere within the UK.
| Leeds | 57% |
| London | 51% |
| Glasgow | 50% |
| Liverpool | 49% |
| Newcastle | 47% |
| Cardiff | 47% |
| Edinburgh | 47% |
| Southampton | 44% |
| Plymouth | 43% |
| Norwich | 43% |
| Bristol | 43% |
| Belfast | 42% |
| Sheffield | 41% |
| Manchester | 39% |
| Birmingham | 37% |
| Nottingham | 37% |
| Brighton | 33% |
| Source: MoneySuperMarket Household Money Index | |
In addition, 17 per cent say guests who do not contribute cause frustration, leading to resentment and arguments.
Some 25 per cent of people avoid hosting due to the cost, while 54 per cent of Brits said Christmas in the UK had “got too expensive”.
The study also showed people have had some financial respite in the last quarter of 2024 – spending less on monthly bills and having more disposable income.
The average UK adult now spends £46.40 every day on essential items – compared to £51.13 in September.
The latest research also shows that UK householders now spend £1,392 a month on average, £142 less than they were spending in September.
This is the largest drop so far in spending recorded by the firm’s quarterly index, which also shows a 22 per cent increase in disposable income.
It said this was helped by a drop in the amount spent on 21 of the 31 bills and outgoings evaluated by the index.
Earlier this week, a separate study by Kantar found the cost of an average Christmas dinner for four has risen by 6.5 per cent in a year to £32.57 amid soaring inflation for turkey and vegetables.
Another part of MoneySuperMarket’s Household Money Index found people in Edinburgh spend 78 per cent of the average income each month on their bills and outgoings, the highest proportion of income spent in the UK – compared to the lowest in Brighton at 45 per cent
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A separate study by Kantar found the cost of an average Christmas dinner for four has risen by 6.5 per cent in a year to £32.57 amid soaring inflation for turkey and vegetables
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Separate data compiled by Assosia and The Grocer showed that mince pies are up by as much as 40 per cent – with Tesco’s premium packs jumping by £1 to £3.50
The typical cost of a frozen turkey has increased 9 per cent to £14.09, while potatoes are up a whopping 16 per cent to £1.65, and cauliflower has risen 15 per cent to £1.18.
The Kantar data also found carrots increased 11 per cent to 49p, cranberry sauce is up 10 per cent to 78p and Christmas pudding has risen 4 per cent to £3.32.
Parsnips have soared by 13 per cent to 71p, stuffing mix has gone up 7 per cent to 92p, Brussels sprouts have increased 1 per cent to 89p and gravy granules are up 4 per cent to £2.14. The only item unchanged is sparkling wine at £6.40.
It comes as Kantar revealed overall annual grocery price inflation across all supermarkets stood at 2.6 per cent in the four weeks to December 1 – the fourth month in a row it has risen, and up from 2.3 per cent in the previous four weeks.
Separate data compiled by Assosia and The Grocer showed that mince pies are up by as much as 40 per cent – with Tesco’s premium packs jumping by £1 to £3.50.
The Telegraph reported costs for packs across other supermarkets have risen by between 9 and 20 per cent in the past year. Across the past two years, packs across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons have gone up by an average of 26 per cent.
* Will YOUR guests pay for their dinner? Email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk *
