Festive financing debates have erupted across Scotland, as almost 50 percent of Glaswegians plan to charge their guests for Christmas dinner. As the cost-of-living crisis bites, many cash-strapped Scots are agonising about whether to impose money-saving measures and risk comparisons to Scrooge. According to new data, 49 percent of Christmas dinner cookers in Scotland's largest city will be asking guests to chip in a few bob towards the festive meal.
A survey conducted by MoneySuperMarket found that 46 percent of Brits will ask their guests to contribute towards food and drink for festive celebrations, while 17 percent warned that those who do not pay their share risk creating resentment and arguments. This attitude could see family and friends asked to pay an average of £17 each for their Christmas dinner, according to research by Natwest. While the new approach to hosting may seem to fly in the face of the Christmas Spirit, it could become the new norm, as 54 percent of Brits admitted that Christmas in the UK has become too expensive. In fact, these financial concerns are so great that a quarter of people across the country will avoid hosting due to prohibitive costs. The news comes as ongoing inflation causes the cost of food and utilities to spiral. Separate research by Kantar revealed that the price of an average Christmas dinner for four has risen by 6.5 percent over the past year to £32.57. This hefty increase is thanks to a rise in the cost of festive staples: the price of potatoes have increased by 16 percent, while a frozen turkey is nine percent more expensive and parsnips are 13 percent dearer. Meanwhile, the value of mince pies has leapt by 40 percent, according to data analysis by Assosia and The Grocer, as Tesco’s premium pack rose from £1 to £3.50