According to the joint report by Facile.it and Consumerismo No Profit, the budget for Christmas dinner and lunches in 2025 will be significantly lower than last year: the average estimate stands at around 64 euro per person, and the overall expenditure around 2,7 billion euros, down from approximately 3,5 billion in 2024.
This cut, analysts explain, doesn't necessarily mean real savings: inflation in the food sector between 2021 and 2025 rose by an average of 25%, with peaks of 30% for some products, making Christmas baskets and festive tables significantly more expensive.
So, many families will have to make the necessary adjustments: not so much to give up tradition, but to redesign it, reviewing quantity and quality, perhaps focusing on more basic or balanced menus.
Reduce spending, but prioritize food and wine
The decline is evident not only in the "Christmas dinner" category: spending forecasts for gifts and Christmas events also show caution. According to the study by Facile.it and Consumerismo No Profit, per capita spending on gifts will fall to approximately 204 € — compared to higher values in the past.
This signal confirms a cautious attitude, where the priority for many families remains "eating well without excess." In this context, the food and wine sector could distance itself from other segments—less spending on clothing, travel, and unnecessary gifts; more attention to the table.
And in fact, as already observed in 2024, food and wine gifts, wines and artisanal gastronomic products are among the most popular choices for this Christmas: tradition, Made in Italy quality and conviviality are values that are not easily compressed.
Wine, bubbles, and home-grown flavors: Christmas evergreens
Despite budget cuts, wine - and food products in general - remain central to Christmas plans: according to the latest report from the Salone del Vino Observatory, the expected expenditure on wine and food and wine specialities during the holidays will exceed 3 billion euros.
This means two things: on the one hand, a taste for quality products (cheeses, cured meats, artisanal desserts, wines) continues to guide choices—even in a time of economic uncertainty; on the other, for many Italians, the table remains a place of sharing, conviviality, and celebration, despite the prices.
More at home, less at the restaurant — but not for everyone
The trend remains toward "Christmas at home": according to a 2024 Coldiretti survey, approximately 88% of Italians chose to celebrate Christmas lunch at home or with relatives and friends.
And although the "average spending per table" reported by a 2024 Fiesa Confesercenti-IPSOS survey stood at around 126 euros per family for holiday dinners and lunches, with a national total estimated at 3,5 billion euros, the associations warn that the figures will decrease by 2025—without, however, abandoning the tradition.
At the same time, there remains a significant portion of Italians who might choose to eat out or go out to celebrate, especially if tables and specials are available, though likely with smaller or shared dishes.
Conclusion: a "measured" Christmas, but still with taste
It will be a Christmas of reflection and caution for many Italian families: less overall spending, budget cuts, and informed choices. But what is clear is that—despite the crisis—the desire to celebrate, toast, and share a meal together remains.
Wine, traditional flavors, and conviviality around the table remain at the heart of the holidays. At a time when "settling accounts" is inevitable, Christmas reinvents itself as a time of responsibility—without sacrificing flavor, atmosphere, and the pleasure of being together.