Christmas dinner and lunch I am an institution. Nobody gives up and everyone, in their own small way, does what they can to eat well and feel good in the company of friends and relatives. This year in particular, three years after the hardest moment of the pandemic and while two wars are underway, Italians have managed to put the heaviest difficulties behind them and have started spending again. For the Christmas at the table, in particular, the expense will amount to approximately 115 euros per family, 10% more compared to the holidays of 2022. This is what emerges from the Coldiretti/lxè survey on "Christmas on Italian tables" presented on the occasion of the elective Assembly of the largest agricultural organization in Italy and Europe.
Christmas: inflation drops, spending increases
Il drop in inflation, after the surge in prices recorded in 2022 and in most of 2023 it had “positive effects" also on Christmas meals, underlines Coldiretti. In fact, according to the survey, 31% of Italians will spend between 50 and 100 euros, 29% will go up to 200 euros and 10% will reach 300 euros (4% even more). Only 7% will keep the budget under 30 euros while 13% will keep it between 30 and 50 euros (6% prefer not to answer).
Spending differences were detected at the territorial level. The citizens who live on the Islands will spend the most, with an average of 148 euros per family. Followed by residents in the South (127 euros) and in the North West (109 euros) who are placed just ahead of the Center (105). The most thrifty will be residents in the North East, who will spend 99 euros per family.
Christmas again with the whole family
Extended families, friends, tables with cousins and distant relatives return. After distancing due to the pandemic, Christmas 2023 sees an average of almost 8 diners around the same table. Also in this case, the Coldiretti/Ixé survey reveals territorial differences. Larger tables in Sicily and Sardinia, with an average of around 10 people, around 7 guests in the North West.
Christmas is spent at home: what do you eat?
88 percent of Italians will pass Christmas dinner and lunch at home, 54% in their own home, 34% from relatives or friends. Only 6% will go to the restaurant, while a further 6% will decide at the last minute.
They will be served at the table traditional dishes: fish first and foremost, but also meat, boiled, roasted, fried.
“In these festive days we ask Italians to support the consumption of Made in Italy food products to help the economy, work and the national territory in a moment of difficulty” is the appeal launched by the president of Coldiretti Ettore Prandini in underlining which during the Christmas and New Year holidays will be spent on lunches, dinners, gifts and travel beyond 10 billion in food and drinks.
Spending on gifts also increases
And if the expense for Christmas lunch and dinner increases, the amount for gifts also increases. Almost one in five Italians (18%) waited until the week before Christmas to buy gifts, with spending growing at 189 euros each, up 6% compared to last year.
In total, they are 42 million Italians have decided to give gifts: 32% spent less than 100 euros, 38% less than 200, a further 12% less than 300. But there is also 11% who spent between 300 and 500 euros, a 2% who reached even 1000 and a very small minority of 1% who exceeded 2000 euros, while 4% preferred not to reveal the figure.
What did they buy? Clothing and accessories especially. Then food and wine, toys, books and music and household items. 37% opted for traditional food and wine baskets with a variety of choices to suit all tastes and budgets.
