According to the data, food and festive feasts are driving spending this year.
“Food and beverages continue to dominate budgets, accounting for 34% of holiday spending. With an average of R2,756 spent per person — up sharply from R1,907 in 2023 —high inflation is clearly impacting grocery bills.
“Gifts are another key expense, making up 14% of the average budget. Practical presents such as cash and vouchers top the wish lists, while experiences such as holiday accommodation account for 13%.”
Preparations for festive feasts, particularly on Christmas Day, are in full swing with most supermarket chains offering competitive pricing on must-have food and decor.
The Sunday Times conducted an informal price comparison of seven items most likely to feature as part of the festivities.
Items such as turkey, gammon, mince pies, lamb for roasting, brandy pudding, baubles and crackers were priced at Woolworths, Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay.
These are the results of the price check conducted in the past two weeks:
- Bakers Choice Assorted 1kg
- Woolworths - R159.99
- Checkers - R159.99
- Pick n Pay - R159.99 (R134.99 smart price)
- Spar - R169.99
- Koo Fruit Cocktail in syrup 410g:
- Woolworths - R39.99
- Checkers - R39.99
- Pick n Pay - R40.99
- Spar - out of stock
- Turkey
- Woolworths — not available
- Checkers — not available
- Pick n Pay — R109.99 per kg
- Spar — R89.99 per kg
- Lamb for roasting
- Woolworths — R189.99 per kg
- Checkers — R179.99 per kg
- Pick n Pay — R169.99 per kg
- Spar — R139.99 per kg
- Gammon
- Woolworths — R89.99 to R152.98 per kg
- Checkers — R119.99 per kg
- Pick n Pay — R89.99 per kg
- Spar — R115 per kg
- Brandy pudding
- Woolworths — R169.99 for 450g
- Checkers — R109.99 for 400g
- Pick n Pay — R129.99 for 450g
- Spar — R109.99 for 400g
- Mince pies (six pack)
- Woolworths — R59.99
- Checkers — R44.99
- Pick n Pay — R39.99
- Spar — R49.99
- Christmas baubles
- Woolworths — R199 for 12 pieces and R299 for 50 pieces
- Checkers — R179 for eight pieces
- Pick n Pay — R7999 for 10 pieces and R199.99 for 20 pieces
- Spar — R64.99 for five pieces
- Christmas crackers
- Woolworths — R220 for a 12-pack (includes a pen, x/o game, writing pad, hats and gingerbread man decoration)
- Checkers — R179.99 for a 12-pack (includes mini kraft memo pad, set of colouring pencils, organic Rooibos pyramid tea bag, dough cutter and honey dipper))
- Pick n Pay — R159.99 for a 12 pack (includes cards, marbles, dice, keyring and mouth organ)
- Spar — R179.99 for an eight pack (contents not available).
Lauren Shantall, head of Scout PR, which conducts trends analysis, believes luxury foods will dominate Christmas shopping lists this year.
“I think we'll see lots of luxury foods as gifts, such as premium wines or imported chocolates, specially in homes that are feeling the pinch and no longer buying these regularly,” she said.
“There will be a focus on experience gifting, such as adventures or interesting classes.”
Durban mother of one Klemmi Norris said she didn’t have a specific budget for Christmas food and treats “because it’s the one day a year I can truly spoil my family, but I only buy gifts and food that are on special”.
“I have bought gifts for my loved ones and food in advance during the year whenever I found something at a discounted price. Gifts for Christmas were completed in October. Food for the festive season was completed in mid-November.”
Norris has stockpiled festive food and gifts over the year. She said: “I have everything ready for Christmas, all the ingredients down to the vegetables for my side dishes which I prepped and froze to avoid paying exorbitant prices closer to Christmas. It’s too costly to buy decorations every year so we have a Christmas box where we store all our decorations for future use.”
TimesLIVE
South Africans to spend about R7k on Christmas goodies
A comparison of prices of some festive favourites and spending habits
Image: Yasantha Naidoo
Luxury foods, from festive meats and premium wines to imported chocolates, are set to dominate Christmas shopping lists with middle-class South Africans set to splurge about R7,000 as the holidays kick in.
According to Wonga Loan’s latest Summer Spending Survey report, a staggering R284bn is expected to flow through the economy during the festive period, with the average festive budget among respondents averaging R6,832.
This is a significant increase from last year’s spend of R5,707 and is the highest figure reported since the survey was first conducted in 2018, with the lowest spend of R5,673 recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The report based on input from 13 775 people said this year’s jump in spending reflects optimism and economic realities.
“While recent interest rate cuts have eased financial pressure for 39% of respondents, inflation has pushed up the cost of essentials from food to transport,” said James Williams, Wonga’s chief marketing officer.
“South Africans are planning to spend significantly more this festive season. However, it's concerning that some are dipping into retirement savings to fund their holidays, a trend likely influenced by the new two-pot retirement system,” said Williams.
Festive spending on the increase this year, according to Wonga survey
According to the data, food and festive feasts are driving spending this year.
“Food and beverages continue to dominate budgets, accounting for 34% of holiday spending. With an average of R2,756 spent per person — up sharply from R1,907 in 2023 —high inflation is clearly impacting grocery bills.
“Gifts are another key expense, making up 14% of the average budget. Practical presents such as cash and vouchers top the wish lists, while experiences such as holiday accommodation account for 13%.”
Preparations for festive feasts, particularly on Christmas Day, are in full swing with most supermarket chains offering competitive pricing on must-have food and decor.
The Sunday Times conducted an informal price comparison of seven items most likely to feature as part of the festivities.
Items such as turkey, gammon, mince pies, lamb for roasting, brandy pudding, baubles and crackers were priced at Woolworths, Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay.
These are the results of the price check conducted in the past two weeks:
Lauren Shantall, head of Scout PR, which conducts trends analysis, believes luxury foods will dominate Christmas shopping lists this year.
“I think we'll see lots of luxury foods as gifts, such as premium wines or imported chocolates, specially in homes that are feeling the pinch and no longer buying these regularly,” she said.
“There will be a focus on experience gifting, such as adventures or interesting classes.”
Durban mother of one Klemmi Norris said she didn’t have a specific budget for Christmas food and treats “because it’s the one day a year I can truly spoil my family, but I only buy gifts and food that are on special”.
“I have bought gifts for my loved ones and food in advance during the year whenever I found something at a discounted price. Gifts for Christmas were completed in October. Food for the festive season was completed in mid-November.”
Norris has stockpiled festive food and gifts over the year. She said: “I have everything ready for Christmas, all the ingredients down to the vegetables for my side dishes which I prepped and froze to avoid paying exorbitant prices closer to Christmas. It’s too costly to buy decorations every year so we have a Christmas box where we store all our decorations for future use.”
TimesLIVE
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