How much could Christmas celebrations cost this year?

‘Tis the season – for spending. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk finds out how businesses and shoppers are balancing budgets and wish lists.

The holiday season is often filled with significant spending, and this year is no different.

According to a survey by the Retail Council of Canada, Canadians are expected to spend an average of $975 for Christmas gifts this year.

While the budget is nearly identical to last year, the organization’s marketing and member services vice-president Santo Ligotti said consumers are shopping with sharper intent.

“They told us that they’re going to be more inclined to look for sales, deals, and promotions,” he said.

Christmas tree purchases

For many people, buying a Christmas tree is a significant part of their spending.

At Grobe’s Nursery and Garden Centre in Breslau, Ont., trees range from $20 for a table centrepiece to upwards of $200 for a full Fraser fir.

Owner Perry Grobe said he’s seen a rise in customers this year compared to the same time last year.

“It’s one of the few expenses, little luxuries, I think, that they might say is a necessity for the Christmas spirit and the Christmas feeling,” he said. “And they’ll invest in that.”

Grobe added that customers may opt for less expensive options, such as Balsam fir trees, or invest in an artificial tree that will last a long time.

“We want folks to realize that they can afford to do Christmas,” he said.

Locally-made and affordable gifts

Gifted is a curated shop in Kitchener, Ont. with a focus on niche and locally-made products.

“Gifted is about actually putting thought into a gift for someone,” said owner Sylvia Horm. “We curate it by making sure that we try to have something for everybody.”

The survey also suggests the sentiment of supporting local and buying Canadian-made products still rings true for many.

“Eighty-six per cent said they planned to shop close to home, and 84 per cent still told us that they will look for Canadian goods,” said Ligotti. “But what they told us is that price remains the number one decision factor ahead of brand loyalty or location.”

The same can be said for ethical shopping, that focuses on products made in a sustainable way, without animal cruelty and/or with workers getting fair wages.

“It’s hard to express the care for these values in the store environment when just confronted with these prices because price takes a very dominant role in our decision-making process,” said Jing Wan, a marketing professor at the University of Guelph.

Whether it’s trees or trinkets, Horm said that when it comes to your Christmas budget, don’t sell yourself short.

“I do think that you are able to find things that are budget-friendly at small, local shops.”