Savvy Gifting This Christmas To Kickstart Brits' 2026 Ffinancial Goals

15th December 2025

As the festive season approaches, a new trend of ‘savvy gifting' is empowering millions of Brits to start the New Year on a stronger financial footing, according to new research from HSBC UK.

The study of 2,000 UK adults found that while a third (33%) will exchange gifts ahead of Christmas day, a significant number are embracing less traditional gifting methods.

The most popular methods include agreeing on a spending cap with friends and family (22%) and agreeing not to exchange gifts with some people at all (18%).

Younger people are leading this change, with Gen Z and Millennials more likely to organise a ‘Secret Santa' (26% of 18-28s) or give homemade gifts (27% of 25-34s). In contrast, over half (54%) of those aged 55 and over plan to make no changes to their festive spending habits.

Of those adopting savvy methods, 30% plan to use the money to pay for household bills, 28% will move it into a general savings account, and 24% will put it towards a specific New Year goal, such as a holiday or house deposit.

Lloyd Robson, Head of Savings at HSBC UK comments: "It's incredibly encouraging to see so many people thinking about their long-term financial health during the festive period. What this data shows is a smart shift in mindset: Christmas is about spending time with family and friends, and not just spending money.

"The feeling of financial control comes from having a clear plan. Whether it's setting a budget, tracking your spending through a banking app, or using savvy gifting methods, these small steps can make a huge difference.

By making mindful choices now, millions are giving themselves a valuable head start on achieving their financial goals for 2026."

The research also found that debit cards remain the primary payment method for the majority of festive spending, used for everything from the food shop (49%) to gifting (41%). While 19% will use a credit card for gifts, most intend to pay the balance off in full, demonstrating a responsible approach to managing costs.

Looking ahead, the New Year is a key moment for a financial reset. Building general savings is the top priority for 27% of Brits. This is followed by saving for a large purchase (14%) and paying off debts (14%). To achieve this, nearly a third (29%) plan to review subscriptions and outgoings in January, while 22% will create a detailed budget for the year ahead.

The survey confirms that proactive planning is directly linked to financial confidence, with 65% of people stating that setting and sticking to a clear budget makes them feel the most in control of their money.

To help manage your money this festive season and plan for the year ahead, explore HSBC UK's range of tools and accounts. For more information, visit the HSBC Savings Account page, learn about budgeting with a HSBC Current Account, or find out how a HSBC Credit Card could help you manage your spending.