If, like every year, Christmas brings to mind generosity, in 2025 this tradition is heavily weighing on household finances. According to a Flash study published on December 11 for Ymanci, as part of its purchasing power observatory, 41% of French people will finish paying for their Christmas gifts in March or April.
Specifically, 59% of purchases are paid for directly using available funds from their checking accounts. On the flip side, more than four out of ten French people turn to alternative solutions. For 27% of them, it involves a mix of personal funds and other financing methods, while 14% rely solely on external solutions.
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Installment payments, savings, overdrafts: multiple strategies
To wrap up the holidays successfully, consumers are getting creative with their strategies. Among those using alternative solutions, 44% tap into their savings, 44% choose to pay in installments, 14% accept a bank overdraft, and 12% opt for staggered payments. More rarely, 6% utilize a revolving credit or a cash reserve.
However, the study distinguishes between common misconceptions and financial reality: three or four interest-free installments or deferred debits are not considered credits, unlike a bank loan, installment payments over more than four months, or the use of an authorized overdraft.
Bringing joy first, even if it means paying later
Behind these financial choices lies a widely shared priority: 84% of French people believe that the most important thing is to make their loved ones happy, even if it means paying later. This mindset is further fueled by the opinions of others: 59% admit they don’t want to seem stingy or give less than those around them.
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This pressure also translates into a very common fear: nearly 6 out of 10 French people have worried that their gift might seem "not expensive enough."On top of this financial pressure, there’s a particularly heavy mental load for women, who still mostly take the lead when it comes to anticipating gifts, managing the budget, thinking about loved ones… and ensuring that the magic of Christmas happens, no matter the cost!
As a result, budgets adjust based on the recipients: 7 out of 10 people tailor their spending according to the generosity level of the person to whom they are giving a gift.Yet, many aspire to a more peaceful Christmas. 43% would like to set a fixed and reasonable budget, 31% would prefer gifts only for children, and 22% wish to prioritize handmade or personalized gifts.
expensive but more sincere.