Is it tight to stop buying for the extended family?

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See it as it's framed

Our note

On 15 September, MoneySavingExpert published Martin Lewis's suggestion to agree a no-presents pact with the wider circle of friends, colleagues and relatives. He was talking about the pressure to exchange gifts beyond the closest family. That speaks directly to a Christmas list that has grown to include aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

The YouGov Big Survey on Christmas asked British adults in November 2025 who they typically bought for. Among the 1,875 respondents who bought any presents, 33% bought for extended family and 44% did not. In the same survey's tables, 70% bought for a partner, 65% for parents and 57% for siblings. The wider-family list was a different choice for many respondents.

The 2025 survey also found that 15% of all adults would rather receive no presents, while 32% preferred to be asked what they wanted and 44% preferred a surprise. That range of preferences makes a conversation about the family list more useful than guessing what every relative wants.