THE CHRISTMAS TREE THAT SHOWS YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND MORE TO MAKE IT MAGICAL
From £60 Santa visits to £130 craft sessions, a new installation highlights the soaring cost of festive fun, while reminding families that the best memories don’t have to come with a big price tag
LONDON – 5TH NOVEMBER: A striking Christmas tree has been unveiled in Bognor Regis – highlighting the soaring cost of festive fun for families.
The baubles on the ‘Cost of Christmas Tree’ reveal the average price for a family of four to visit Santa’s grotto is now £60, a trip to the panto costs around £120, and festive arts and crafts sessions run to more than £130. Parents are also likely to fork out £80 at a fairground and £40 on a Christmas movie at the cinema.
Dim and heavy, a wilted tree has been designed to symbolise the mounting pressure on families - with nearly six in 10 (57 per cent) admitting they feel pushed to spend more than they can afford to make the festive season one to remember.
These prices are based on research which revealed the average family of four could spend a total of over £430 on festive activities this year.
From pantomimes and Santa’s grotto to fairground rides and dazzling live shows, only a Butlin’s Christmas Festive Wonderland Break brings everything together in one place – and included in one great price with breaks starting from just £41* for a family of four on a term-time midweek break.
The research used a three-night Butlin’s Christmas Festive Wonderland Break costing £113** for a family of four sharing with the festive activities included in the price, to showcase the value on offer versus booking them individually elsewhere in the run up to Christmas on the same date.
With 82 per cent of families polled saying the cost of Christmas has risen dramatically in the past five years, 40 per cent still believe the season is about treating their loved ones - whatever the cost.
Standing beside the ‘Cost of Christmas’ tree is Butlin’s bright and sparkling tree - showing how families can still enjoy all the festive fun, where so much is included in the price. Running throughout the run-up to Christmas, Festive Wonderland weekend and midweek holidays are the perfect way for families, especially those with little ones under five, to enjoy all the sparkle and excitement of the season without the mounting bills.
Mike Godolphin, Entertainment Director at Butlin’s, which commissioned the research, said: “Christmas cheer shouldn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. What really matters is knowing that once you’ve booked your break so much is taken care of so families can simply relax and enjoy the magic together.”
“The season is all about shared moments of joy – the laughter, the entertainment, the feeling of being together. As the Home of Entertainment, our Christmas Festive Wonderland breaks offer fantastic value for money. Families can enjoy everything they want to do in the run-up to the big day, plus make the most of our incredible Splash Waterworld pools, exciting playgrounds like SKYPARK and brand-new Soft Play centre with all of this included in the holiday.”
The research goes on to reveal that nearly a third (30 per cent) fear the emphasis on spending money on festivities has detracted from the season’s true message.
For 40 per cent, this pressure comes from trying to keep up with family and friends, but 39 per cent get it from social media posts from other families.
Godolphin, said: “After a challenging year, it’s no surprise families are watching their spending and looking for great value this Christmas. At Butlin’s, we understand that, which is why our Christmas Festive Wonderland breaks give families the chance to enjoy a magical getaway before the big day with so much included in the price.”