Name: What are Europeans cutting back on to make ends meet?
Uploaded: 2025-12-15T18:28:28.547Z
Duration: 1 min 30 s
Description: Amid cost-of-living troubles, the 2025 festivities are likely to be subdued for many who have had to give up on amenities and, in some cases, opt for low-key Christmas plans.

Amid cost-of-living troubles, the 2025 festivities are likely to be subdued for many who have had to give up on amenities and, in some cases, opt for low-key Christmas plans.

A recent survey of more than 20,000 Europeans shows that high housing costs are prompting many to reduce spending on social events, food, and even everyday essentials. The financial strain has led 75% of respondents to cut back on expenses in order to meet mortgage payments over the past year.

The survey highlights that over a quarter of Europeans are uncomfortable hosting guests during the festive season, with Finns being the most reluctant. Social outings, food, alcohol, and holidays are among the first expenses to be reduced, and 13% of respondents are even cutting back on basic toiletries.

What are Europeans cutting back on to make ends meet?

Most Europeans are cutting back to pay their mortgage. How is that impacting their Christmas plans? If you're not exactly dying to host a Christmas party this year, you're not the only one. A new survey of more than 20,000 Europeans found that more than one in four aren't comfortable inviting anyone round over the festive season. The Finnish are the most reluctant at a sizable rate of 40%. And at least one in three Romanians and Hungarians would enjoy Christmas behind closed doors. At the same time, Austrians, French and Croatians emerged as the most welcoming hosts. High housing costs are the likely culprit weighing down on the desire to throw parties, as 75% had to cut spending to meet mortgage payments over the past 12 months. Date nights, clubbing and festivals are the first things to go to make ends meet. The rate rises to 58% in Greece, while cutting back on night outs is a non-starter for most Lithuanians. Europeans are foregoing food, treats and alcohol at the second highest rate, with a peak of 61% giving them up in Malta. Holidays place third, with more than half of Polish and Irish citizens planning to stay home. Strikingly, 13% decide cutting back on everyday items, including basic toiletries.

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