Cost of giving crisis: Woman, 28, cancels giving and receiving Christmas presents in 2023 after feeling pinch

A woman struggling with her bills after being hit by soaring daily prices has announced to her friends on Facebook she will not be buying or receiving Christmas presents this year and is encouraging others not to be afraid to do the same amid a “cost of giving crisis” in the UK.

Catherine Stewart, from Gravesend in Kent, who works as a wildlife ambulance driver for animal charity The Fox Project, normally spends around £400 on Christmas presents but has decided to scrap the tradition this year due to unexpected expenses and the rising cost of living.

The 28-year-old made the announcement to friends on social media on November 20, saying: “I can’t afford to buy everyone presents and gifts this year and I really, really, really wouldn’t like anything gifted to me.”

Catherine, who has no children but normally buys gifts for her young nieces and nephews, said people who have got bills to pay and are struggling to save should not “feel guilty” about cancelling Christmas presents to avoid going into debt.

“I think there are a lot of people suffering from a cost of giving crisis this year,” she told PA Real Life.

“Someone commented on my post, saying that people who love you would not want you to go into debt.

“I feel bad, because I love giving and buying people presents and seeing their smile, even if it’s fake because they didn’t really want a pair of socks.

“For me, Christmas should be about being with your friends and your family.”

Catherine normally buys presents for her family, which includes her parents, husband’s parents, nieces and nephews, and grandparents, a total of 10 people.

She also has different friend groups for whom she buys or crafts gifts.

“I probably spend between £300 and £400 on Christmas shopping overall,” she said.

“It’s been ticking in my brain all year,” she said.

“I just looked at my account and thought, people don’t need material stuff.

“Things just do not really matter at the end of the day, not that much.”

In July, she was hit with a £400 bill for repairs after her Ford Ka broke down, which she relies on to commute to work a 50 minute drive away.

“My savings were put towards emergencies,” she said.

“The way things have been going this year, with prices rising – even food shopping has gone up,” she said.

“And I’ve got to fill my car up at least twice a week, which if my tank is empty, costs £50.”

She decided to announce that there would be no Christmas presents this year on Facebook earlier this month and was worried how people might react.

Catherine said: “I actually asked my husband, ‘Do you think this will upset anyone?’

“So I reworded it, and I have had some pretty positive reactions.

“I think my family knows that I’m struggling to save for my own flat.

“So this was a good move for me to put my foot down and say this isn’t even that important.

“They’re quite proud”.

Catherine said this will not stop her from having a magical Christmas with her loved ones.

“I think he’ll prep the vegetables and then we’ll have a roast dinner.

“We will stay at home, eat food, do the whole cracker thing and play games together.

“Then we will be with my family on Boxing day.”

Catherine will also be working over the Christmas break, making sure foxes at The Fox Project charity are cared for.

Her job involves collecting rescued foxes and bringing them to the charity’s animal hospital.

“The foxes get a mini Christmas dinner with sausages and the works,” she added.

Catherine hopes that her decision will inspire others who cannot afford Christmas presents but are afraid to speak up.

“Do not feel guilty about not being able to buy something when all that really matters is yourself and your company,” she said.

“I heard someone say the other day that they had six people at home and were barely scraping it with the shopping.

“I’m thinking, how has it gotten to that stage?”

Making “your intentions” clear is important, added Catherine, who was nervous herself about breaking the news to her friends and family.

“I still made it somewhat personal, just so people better understand why.

“Because I did that and said, ‘look I’m struggling with money’ people just connected to that struggle as well and were like, ‘yeah don’t be in debt’.”

Spending time with her family and friends is the most important part of Christmas for Catherine, who works five days a week and usually gets home at around six or seven.

“Because for me, I don’t have much time to be at home,” she said.

“I don’t have time to see my parents or his [my husband] parents because like most people I work a lot, so I only have a few hours in the evening.

“Christmas should be about the time you spend with them rather than the presents”.