Australians feeling less festive, more stressed this Christmas
Households will be hoping for cost-of-living relief this Christmas as new data shows Australians are feeling stressed in the lead up to the festive season.
A new survey* from St Vincent de Paul Society NSW shows the toll of sustained cost-of-living pressures with one in two Australians (52%) feeling more financially stressed leading up to Christmas than 12 months ago.
Over a third of Australians (36%) also feel they need to hide financial hardship from friends and family, while nearly three in five (57%) will have to prioritise essential expenses over Christmas spending this year.
The concerning findings come as the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW launches its annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal, raising vital funds to provide support to individuals and households doing it tough this Christmas.
The Society NSW has supported over 100,000 people across the state through its members for the third year in a row, including more than one in four people (29%) reaching out for assistance for the first time this past year.
“This time of year should be one of celebration and coming together, but for a growing number of people the Christmas season has become more stressful than festive,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.
“We’re seeing so many people reaching out for assistance with food, clothing, accommodation and households bills – these are the basics people need just to get by from day to day.
“The stories we’re hearing from our members are a reminder that cost-of-living isn’t an abstract concept or numbers on a spreadsheet, but the very real choices people have to make every day.
“If you’re having to decide between turning on the air conditioner when the temperature goes past 30 degrees or skipping dinner so that your kids have lunch for school the next day, it’s understandable that people are feeling stressed,” said Ms Saiz.
Housing remain one of the biggest pressures facing people seeking assistance from the Society NSW with more than a third of people (37%) housed on the private rental market and half (51%) experiencing housing stress.
“St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is active in communities all over the state and here to lend a helping hand to people in need,” said Peter Houweling, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President.
“The Vinnies Christmas Appeal plays a vital role in ensuring our members can provide people with the support they need when they need it. Times are tough right now so if you’re in a position to make a donation it could be the most impactful gift someone can receive this Christmas.
All donations are tax-deductible, with funds staying local to support people in need in NSW. To donate, visit nsw.vinnies.org.au/christmasappeal.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Christmas Appeal Survey results:
Half (52%) of Aussies say they feel more financially stressed leading up to Christmas this year than they were 12 months ago, inclusive of a quarter (24%) who strongly agree so.
Over a third (36%) of Australians agree they have felt the need to hide financial hardships from friends and family at Christmas, including one in seven (15%) who strongly agree.
Gen Z (43%) and Millennials (39%) are more likely to agree with this sentiment than Baby Boomers (28%).
Those with children under 18 are more likely to strongly agree (21% vs 12%).
Nearly three in five (57%) of Aussies reveal that they will have to prioritise essential expenses over Christmas spending this year, including one in four (25%) who strongly agree.
* Christmas Appeal Survey prepared for St Vincent de Paul Society NSW by YouGov. Online survey of nationally representative sample of 1,068 Australians aged 18 years and older, conducted 24-28 September 2026.