Despite economic uncertainty and lingering inflation, Christmas spending in the Czech Republic remains largely unchanged from last year. According to new research from the Czech Banking Association and the Ipsos agency, Czech shoppers plan to spend an average of 12,600 crowns this holiday season—only a slight increase from 2024’s 12,500 crowns.
Gifts, as always, take the biggest slice of the Christmas budget. Half of all households expect to spend up to 5,000 crowns on presents, while another fifth plan to spend between 5,000 and 10,000 crowns. Food and drinks represent the second-largest expense, typically around 3,000 crowns per household, followed by decorations, which tend to stay under 1,000 crowns.
Over the past few years, holiday budgets have shown a gentle upward trend. In 2023, average spending reached roughly 12,000 crowns, indicating a slow but steady increase. Still, experts note that Czech families are trying to balance festive generosity with financial caution, particularly as living costs remain high.
Interestingly, very few consumers turn to borrowing during the holidays. Only about 2 percent of Czechs say they have taken or plan to take out a loan to cover holiday expenses—usually small sums under 5,000 crowns, most often for toys, electronics, or household appliances. When they do borrow, it’s typically from banks rather than leasing firms or other financial services.
“The data over recent years shows that most people still see borrowing money for Christmas gifts as a bad idea,” explained Filip Hanzlík, legal counsel and deputy executive director of the Czech Banking Association. He emphasized that financial awareness and prudent spending habits have remained strong despite growing consumer temptations.
Still, not everyone feels comfortable with their financial situation. Nearly half of those who have borrowed in the past fear they may struggle to repay their loans. Moreover, compared to last year, a slightly higher number of households admit they would consider taking another loan to deal with upcoming repayment issues—a concerning signal of lingering financial fragility in some segments of society.
Even so, Christmas remains a season that many Czechs refuse to compromise on. The warmth of gathering with family, sharing gifts, and indulging in festive meals continues to motivate spending—though always with a careful eye on the wallet.