A Merry but Modest Christmas, says Post Office

The main reason given for the cutbacks is the rising cost of food, with 61% worried about the cost of Christmas food compared with 45% in the same survey last year.

The survey of more than 2,000 people also indicated that 44% are using cash to help them budget more carefully this year.

Overall, the biggest worries are the cost of gifts (43%), paying heating bills (40%) and the cost of Christmas food (35%). Nearly half (47%) of those who have dependent children living at home are worried about the cost of food over the holiday period.

Nearly a third (32%) said their Christmas dinner this year will be missing some of the trimmings.

For the third year in a row, the Post Office has partnered with the Trussell Trust with an ambition to raise £1m in total to help as many struggling families as possible this winter.

The partnership runs from now until 31 March 2024, and means that for every cash withdrawal made over the counter in a post office, the Post Office will contribute 1p to the Trussell Trust.

Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “This can be a hard time of the year for some people to be able to afford everything that comes along with the annual festivities.

“That’s why it is important for us to support the Trussell Trust through this annual campaign.”

Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust said: “This donation will help continue to provide emergency support to people who cannot afford the essentials, while we work together in the long term to build a country without the need for food banks.”