Poor Christmas planning costs UK adults £250 – APM research shows

Christmas shoppers who admit to not planning out their festive purchases spend around £250 more each year than those who are more organised, new research from APM has shown.

Despite the festive season being one of the most anticipated times of the year, survey of 2,000 UK adults by APM in partnership with research company Censuswide, reveals many households are leaving their Christmas shopping and planning to the last minute.

The survey found that almost four in ten (37%) Brits say their Christmas spending feels out of control. Of those who admit to being bad at planning for the holidays, they estimate it costs them on average £256. This figure rises to £288 among men and £368 for those aged 25 to 34.

The findings also reveal nearly half (47%) find Christmas stressful. Of those, 24% cited concerns over finding the right gift, 20% were worried about money, 16% were nervous about cooking the perfect Christmas dinner, whilst 15% wanted to meet family expectations.

One in three (32%) admitted they would find Christmas less stressful if they planned better with 34% say they don’t set any budget for Christmas. Only 17% say they know exactly how much they want to spend.

When it comes to planning ahead, nearly one in four adults (24%) wait until December to purchase gifts whilst 19% only start planning for Christmas in the final few weeks before the big day. When asked about the latest they’ve ever left buying gifts, 18% admitted to leaving it until Christmas Eve itself, and 2% said they’ve bought presents on Christmas Day.

Emma Shelton, PMO Manager at APM, believes skills from project management in business can be used to help Christmas shoppers plan better, save money, and feel more relaxed. "It is concerning to see that a lack of preparation is directly impacting people's wallets to the tune of £250,” Emma says. 

“While the festive season is meant to be a joyful time of the year, the pressure to deliver a perfect holiday often leads to last minute panic buying. This approach not only ends up costing you more, but significantly increases stress levels during what should be a relaxing break.

"The good news is you don't need to be a qualified professional to apply basic project management skills to your personal life. Simple steps like planning in advance, setting a strict list of what to buy, agreeing a realistic budget early on, and creating a timeline can restore a sense of control. By treating Christmas like a small project, we can all reduce the chaos and focus on spending time, rather than just money, with family and friends.”

APM’s top five tips for project planning your Christmas:

·       Plan Early and Break It Down: Treat Christmas like a project: break tasks into categories (gifts, food, travel, decorations) and set mini deadlines to spread the workload.

·       Set a Clear, Itemised Budget: Over a third of people don’t set a budget for Christmas. Get in control of spending and define a total spend, break it into categories, and track progress to stay in control.

·       Prioritise What Matters Most: Gift buying is one of the biggest stress factors (24%). Focus on essential presents and simplify the rest. Homemade gifts or shared experiences can reduce both financial strain and decision fatigue.

·       Schedule Downtime as Part of the Plan: Nearly half of Brits find Christmas stressful, with money worries and cooking pressures high on the list. Build in downtime - whether that’s a quiet evening, a walk, or family games - to balance the workload and protect wellbeing.

·       Delegate and Collaborate From cooking to decorating, teamwork matters. Sharing responsibilities reduces stress and makes the festive season more enjoyable. Involving family members lightens the load and creates a more inclusive celebration.