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Why do people spend more during the holidays?

Piper Welch
Piper Welch
2025-05-03 19:05:22
Count answers: 1
The holiday season is a spendy one for many reasons. Time off work, Christmas gifts, holiday parties, school holidays, gatherings with colleagues, family, and friends — all of these things cost more money than your average month, so it helps to be prepared for higher expenditure in November and December. But on top of that, the end of the year can be an emotional time. We might be confronted by the fact another year has passed, holiday traditions can be loaded with expectations or even stress and anxiety, and we’re just exhausted from the year itself — and that’s all before we’ve even cooked the family meal or organized the kids’ wishlists! All of these factors can create the perfect storm when it comes to our spending. The write-off mindset can also lead to mindless spending and taking your eyes off your budget when it matters most. Momentum spending will see you spending more and more money purely based on the fact that you’ve already spent money. A new year can bring up all sorts of emotions that can drive spending, and you might find yourself spending more than usual to make yourself feel better — particularly if you find the holidays difficult due to family dynamics, grief, or loneliness.