How much will Scots spend on Christmas?

MORE Scots are feeling generous as the festive season approaches and expect their Christmas spending to rise, a new survey has found.
Most Scots surveyed plan to begin their Christmas shopping this weekendMost Scots surveyed plan to begin their Christmas shopping this weekend
Most Scots surveyed plan to begin their Christmas shopping this weekend

Shoppers north of the border will spend an average of £592.22 over the festive season - up £124.97 from 2014.

A consumer study surveyed the spending habits of 1,000 Scottish adults and found more plan to splash out this December.

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Scots will purchase 13 presents this year (up from 12 gifts in 2014) at an average cost of £28.96 (£30.19 in 2014), totalling £376.48.

The traditional Christmas feast will come in at £132.06, with 64 per cent of shoppers stating that they will be purchasing the majority of their festive food shopping in value brand stores.

The report also revealed that during the season of goodwill 57 per cent of Scots will be hitting the roads to spend Christmas Day with family and friends. On average Scots will be travelling 55 miles, spending £42.93 on their yuletide journey.

In addition the study also revealed a growing trend in festive themed short breaks as over a third (35 per cent) of Scots are taking a UK Christmas shopping themed break this year.

Shakila Ahmed, spokeswoman for Travelodge, who commissioned the survey, said: “Our 2015 Christmas spending report shows that consumer confidence is returning and it looks like being a Merry Christmas for the Scottish economy this year.”

However, this price tag still leaves Scotland one of the lowest spending nations this Christmas, along with Northern Ireland.

Of all the cities and towns across the UK, Glaswegians are the thriftiest this Christmas, spending just £383.12, which is £231.84 below the national average.

Other scrooges in Scotland live in Stirling (£437.17) and Dundee (£525.64), with both locations making the top ten lowest spenders league table.

The study also revealed that 69 per cent of Scottish adults plan to start their Christmas shopping this weekend.