Brits in the North West prefer a winter getaway to a Christmas giveaway

A winter wonderland at Hollingworth Lake

Sun-seeking Brits in the North West would rather spend their hard-earned cash on a winter holiday than buying presents for loved ones at Christmas.

Brits in the region plan to spend on average £1,133 each on Christmas this year, including £465 on presents.

They would spend £1,385 on a winter getaway and 43% say they would rather boost that by spending their Christmas money on a holiday.

After presents, the biggest drain on Brits’ wallets in the North West over Christmas was found to be food (£176), travel (£92), drink (£95) and decorations (£59).

British Airways, who commissioned the survey as part of their Winter Sun campaign, found that 28% of those surveyed in the North West said they would rather give holidays as presents rather than objects, believing they create more lasting memories than objects placed under the tree.

A quarter (25%) of Brits in the region say they have no idea what they received for Christmas last year – and 45% can only remember some gifts they received.

For nearly two-thirds (61%) of Brits the stress of the festive season is such that they say they need a holiday to get over the Christmas break.

Forty-seven per cent said they would go on holiday if they could get out of the obligatory Christmas visit to families and friends and half (50%) say they need a holiday during the Christmas break itself.