How Germany is planning Christmas 2025: Limited budgets, early purchases & growing use of AI
Discover how Germans are planning Christmas 2025 with limited budgets, early gift shopping and new habits like AI-powered holiday preparation.
As Germany Christmas 2025 planning unfolds, new consumer habits are reshaping how the country prepares for the festive season. A representative survey conducted by Shopfully together with YouGov among 2,046 adults in Germany reveals a holiday period marked by tighter budgets, earlier shopping, omnichannel habits, and a cautious but growing adoption of digital tools – especially artificial intelligence.
Christmas budgets are tight as consumers prioritise smart spending
Financial caution is a defining characteristic of Germany Christmas 2025 planning. The survey shows that more than half of Germans intend to spend no more than €200 on gifts, meals and decorations combined. Budget segments are distributed clearly:
- 27% will spend under €100
- 23% expect to spend between €100 and €200
- Only 7% plan to spend more than €600
These numbers show that while Christmas remains important, consumers are focusing more on controlled, deliberate spending.
Where Germans plan to save
When cuts are necessary, consumers do so in specific areas:
- Leisure activities: 25%
- Decorations: 20%
- Gifts: 17%
Notably, only 5% want to spend less on Christmas dinner, suggesting it remains a cherished, protected tradition. Meanwhile, 28% say they do not plan to cut back in any area, showing that a portion of the population still aims to preserve their full holiday experience despite economic pressures.
Early shopping becomes the new normal
Another strong trend in Germany Christmas 2025 planning is significantly earlier purchasing. To avoid last-minute stress and to secure better deals, Germans have moved their gift buying up the calendar.
When Germans are shopping for gifts
- 37% already bought gifts in October or November or are doing so now
- 27% plan to shop at the start of December
- Only 3% wait until the last week
- A mere 1% buy gifts in the final two days
- 17% are skipping gifts altogether this year
This shift towards early shopping suggests a combination of budget management and a desire for more relaxed holiday preparation. Retailers offering early promotions are best positioned to meet these expectations.
Omnichannel dominates: Online + in-store remains the standard
When examining Germany Christmas 2025 planning, one consistent theme is the continued importance of brick-and-mortar stores—alongside digital channels.
Preferred shopping channels
- 19% shop predominantly in-store
- 11% shop exclusively in-store
- 36% shop both online and offline
- 25% shop mostly online with occasional store visits
- 6% shop exclusively online
This confirms that omnichannel shopping remains the dominant behaviour. Consumers appreciate the convenience of online research and browsing, but still value tactile experiences and in-person service for certain purchases—especially gifts. Retailers that integrate both channels smoothly stand to benefit most.
AI enters the Christmas mainstream – slowly but significantly
A new development in Germany Christmas 2025 planning is the measurable rise of artificial intelligence in holiday preparation. Although still used by a minority, AI tools are gaining visibility and relevance.
How Germans use AI for Christmas
- 10% use AI to compare prices and research deals
- 8% use AI for gift inspiration
- 7% use it for festive recipes
- 6% for writing messages or greeting cards
- 5% for decoration ideas
- 4% for budget planning
While these numbers remain modest, they reflect AI’s entry into everyday seasonal tasks.
Who isn’t using AI?
- 50% consciously choose not to use AI
- 11% are not familiar with AI tools
- 12% considered using AI but ultimately decided against it
These insights show a nation still exploring digital tools at its own pace, with curiosity growing but hesitation still present.
What these trends mean for retailers
The combined results of Germany Christmas 2025 planning reveal a consumer base that is:
- Financially cautious
- More organised than ever
- Comfortable with mixing online and offline channels
- Slowly warming to digital technologies, including AI
As Julian Klein, Country Manager Germany at Shopfully, explains, Christmas is “no less important, but is being planned differently.” Early visibility, strong promotions, and seamless cross-channel experiences are now critical success factors for brands and retailers. How Germany is planning Christm…
Study profile
The survey was conducted online by YouGov on behalf of Shopfully between 7–10 November 2025, with 2,046 participants aged 18+. Results are representative of the German resident population by age, gender and region.
