57% of Aussies feel pressured to spend on Christmas gifts – even when they can’t afford it
Key takeaways
- 57% of Australians feel pressure to spend more than they can afford on gifts, rising to 77% of parents with kids under 18.
- People who feel the pressure are 5 times more likely to use BNPL or a credit card they wouldn't normally use for Christmas gift shopping.
- Some say they will go without groceries or take on extra work to fund the festive period.
More than half of Aussies are dreading the gift exchange this year, and not because of the socks.
Finder's Shopping Report 2026 found 57% of Australians feel at least some pressure to spend more than they can afford on gifts to avoid disappointing family or friends.
15% say they feel a lot of pressure.
For parents of kids under 18, it's close to universal: 77% feel the pressure to spend up big to deliver epic presents.
Who's feeling the pressure to overspend?
Gen Z and Baby Boomers are night and day: 78% of Boomers feel no pressure at all, compared with just 22% of Gen Z.
Pressure is pushing people into debt
Among those who feel some or a lot of pressure, 21% plan to use BNPL or a credit card they wouldn't normally use, compared with just 4% of those who feel none.
They're also far more likely to cut back on:
- groceries or essentials (30% vs 7%)
- take on extra work (25% vs 4%), or
- sell things for cash (22% vs 3%).
Feeling the financial pinch? Here are 15 ways to spend less this Christmas (without being a Grinch)
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