Expert outlines Christmas 2023 trends including more focused presents, gatherings and extended festivities

Inflation and the rising cost of living are likely to result in people avoiding unnecessary gifting this Christmas

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11:40, 3 OCT 2022
Updated13:40, 3 OCT 2022

Some of the recalled items may have been bought for Christmas.(stock image) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Smaller, more focused presents will be at the forefront of gifting this Christmas, according to one Irish expert.

This year’s festivities are also likely to revolve around social gatherings, as a result of the World Cup and eased Covid-19 restrictions.

Inflation and the rising cost of living may encourage people to avoid unnecessary gifting this Christmas, according to an expert in the field.

Damian O’Reilly, lecturer in retail management at TU Dublin, expects Christmas 2023 to be a "polarised" one, with some doing well and others not so much.

Inflation will probably change the way people will spend money this festive period. O'Reilly told the Irish Mirror: “Inflation is really dictating what happens this Christmas and how much people have in their pockets.

“They're just about managing. They’re very concerned about their current financial situation.”

As a result, he said that we’ll see smaller and more thought-out presents this year. For example, friend groups may choose to do a Secret Santa instead of buying a present for each individual person.

It is also likely that we will see people move away from buying electrical products and move toward items that will help to ease the burden of rising electricity prices.

O’Reilly said: “I think energy-saving things like blankets or throws will do exceptionally well this year, [as well as] jumpers and woollen clothes. People will be buying those because they have a definite use for them as they're turning down the heating, for example.”

He also imagines that we will see a decrease in the sales of DIY gifts and work-from-home equipment, given how popular these items became at the outbreak of Covid and throughout periods of lockdown.

Another expected trend for Christmas 2023 is the return of meeting up with people and hosting parties or get-togethers. The World Cup will also influence this, with the football competition set to run from November 20 to December 18 of this year.

Food will, therefore, be a big seller for those hosting events, but O'Reilly expects there to be plenty of consideration around purchases. He said: "Food is going to be a big winner. People are going to have parties and have people around.

“They're going to be more cautious of what they buy and not buying extravagance or extras, like stuff that might get thrown out. I think we're going to be much more responsible about what we consume and the waste that we’re going to have at Christmas.”

In terms of when is the right time to start shopping, O’Reilly reckons the festive season is going to run for about 8 to 10 weeks this year. “Traditionally, the Christmas period started in December and the last 2 weeks coming up to Christmas were the time that most money was spent.

“Now, this year - because of the inflation, the cost of living crisis and the World Cup - all of those things are pushing Christmas things back out.”

O’Reilly predicts that we will start to see festive sales and promotions throughout the month of October. He would also advise shoppers to be aware of "perceived discounts", as companies may make out that a deal is better than it actually is.

While making a start on Christmas shopping early may not result in huge savings, O'Reilly said: "I would suggest if you see something, buy it. If it's something that you want and something that you need, definitely buy it in advance. Don't wait for a better price because it may not come."

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