Nearly half of people in the UK fail to stick to their intended budget when buying Christmas hampers and other gifts, new research has revealed. A survey by M&S Money found that around four in ten consumers work out the amount they want to spend during the festive period, yet 46 per cent of those questioned exceed it. When it comes to making lists, 62 per cent take the time to write out what they will buy for their loved ones, however, half of those who do fail to follow it. The research showed that 49 per cent of people do not put money aside to cover their Christmas expenditure, with just one in ten saving over the course of the whole year. Paul Stokes, from M&S Money, said that planning ahead is essential, particularly when it comes to budgeting. He added: "It's never too late to make a budget to help with your finances over the festive period - a shopping list is a great way to help you keep within a budget." Voucher codes could be one way for consumers to free up money to spend on Christmas hampers, with Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, stating recently that significant savings can be made with such offers.
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