Christmas shoppers feeling the pains of inflation when buying gifts

By: Arshia Kochar

BELLEVILLE- As Christmas approaches, people are cutting down on their gift buying, worried by inflation and other budget pressures, QNetNews discovered recently.

Three out of five people say that this will affect their Christmas shopping this year, as they also have to consider their other expenses, as a recent press release said. According to Statistics Canada, the inflation grew by 3.8% in September. 

Residents responded similarly when asked how they felt about inflation affecting their holidays.

Sydney Skanes said her current expenses, especially caring for her pets, are her priority this Christmas.

“I don’t know how am I supposed to pay for my rent, my food, my animal’s food, and be expected to buy nice gifts for my friends and family this year,” she said. 

Some people are choosing to buy gifts at thrift stores instead of malls to maintain their budgets. 

A musician named Maverick Simard believes this approach is more feasible. 

“It makes more sense to go to a thrift store and be able to get more bang for your buck than one item and spend $60,” he said.

 Other people take advantage of Boxing Day sales to buy gifts more cheaply. 

Josh McGuire is one of those. He opted for something different for Christmas shopping.

“We do our Christmas shopping after Christmas during Boxing Day when things are a bit cheaper and all the sales are on,” he said.

In a press release, Deloitte. said Christmas 2023 will see a decline of 11 percent as compared to last year. An average Canadian shopper will spend $1347 this year,.