Christmas 2019 and Your Pocketbook

Think of it as the 13th month.

Saskatchewan residents proudly wear the 13th man banner in support of our professional football team but the 13th has another meaning when it comes to Christmas.

A forecast on Christmas spending this year by Canadians issued by the accounting and consultancy firm Deloitte suggests the average Canadian resident will spend more on presents, travel, food and booze this Christmas than they will on rent for the month. They pegged the average spend this year at $1,706 which at least as much, if not more, than we dished out last year.

Younger people will direct their spending to online shopping, yet the vast majority – 70-percent – of us are sticking with tradition and will hit the bricks-and-mortar store-with-a-door. Of those who are e-commerce devotees, Amazon is by far the most popular of the online player.

The largest expenditure will go for gifts – about $485. Travel is next on our list at $350 while groceries are going to cost an average of $275 followed by dining and then alcohol is at the bottom at $115.