From gift budgets to festive food and travel plans, here’s what people in Singapore say about Christmas in 2025.
Christmas in Singapore is just around the corner, and to find out how people really celebrate the festive season, Honeycombers surveyed 447 respondents living in Singapore. From gift-buying habits and festive food to travel plans, events, and budgets, the results reveal how Singaporeans and residents are spending Christmas this year.
Here’s what the data shows about Christmas celebrations in Singapore – including where people gather, what they buy, how much they spend, and which festive experiences matter most. P.S. congratulations to the winners of our Little Farms Festive Feast Hamper and Nox 3-course Mystery Set Menu! Note: some percentages reflect multiple-choice responses, where respondents selected more than one option for certain questions.
Christmas in Singapore: Key survey findings
- 80.5% are staying in Singapore for Christmas (Q2)
- 35.3% spend $200 to $500 total (Q18)
- 46.5% say dining out is their biggest Christmas spend (Q17)
- 37.6% celebrate by hosting at home (Q1)
- 50.1% choose Orchard Road as their favourite light-up (Q16)
- Multi-select highlights: Top gift categories were home and lifestyle items (64.7%), beauty and skincare sets (62.4%), and kids’ toys and clothes (38.5%)
- Christmas is local-first: 4 in 5 stay in Singapore, and hosting at home is still #1
- Food is the centre of spending: Dining out and groceries dominate the biggest spending category.
- Experiences are popular, but not necessarily paid: Festive markets and light-ups rank high, even as budgets stay moderate and stable.
Survey methodology
- Sample: 447 respondents living in Singapore
- How we collected the data: Honeycombers survey on our website, newsletter and social channels
- Question types: Questions 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 15 are multi-select; all others are single-choice
- Notes: Multi-select percentages can exceed 100%
How do people in Singapore celebrate Christmas?
Home celebrations remain the most popular way to mark Christmas in Singapore. According to the survey, 37.6% of respondents host Christmas gatherings at home, making it the top choice for festive celebrations. Dining out at restaurants follows at 22.4%, while 13.4% spend the season visiting shopping malls and Christmas attractions around the island.
Are people travelling or staying in Singapore for Christmas?
The majority of respondents spend Christmas locally. 80.5% stay in Singapore over the festive season, while 6.7% travel overseas to visit family and friends, 6.5% jet-set to a far-off destination, and 6.3% go for a nearby tropical getaway.
When asked about their ideal Christmas getaway, 43.8% prefer winter holidays, compared to 17.4% who enjoy city shopping and nature retreats. Meanwhile, 11.2% say they don’t travel in December at all.
When do people start Christmas shopping?
Christmas shopping begins early for many in Singapore. 31.5% of respondents buy gifts in November, ahead of the festive rush, while 32.4% make their purchases in December. Last-minute shoppers account for 13.9% of respondents, and 6.3% promptly start in September or earlier.
Where do people buy Christmas gifts in Singapore?
Online shopping leads the way, with 72.9% buying Christmas gifts through online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada, and 11% checking out Instagram and TikTok shops. However, physical retail remains relevant, with 51% shopping at malls, 45.9% heading to department stores, and 34.9% going to local boutiques and indie shops.
What are the most popular Christmas gifts in Singapore?
Home and lifestyle items are the most popular, purchased by 64.7% of respondents. Beauty and skincare sets follow closely at 62.4%, while kids’ toys and clothing rank third at 38.5%. Tech gadgets are also common at 32.9%, alongside gourmet hampers at 22.1% and experiences and events at 22.6%.
Who are people buying Christmas gifts for?
Gift-giving is largely family-focused, with 80.8% of respondents buying presents for family members, 50.6% buying gifts for their partner, and 36.9% for kids. Most keep their budgets modest, with 48.5% spending between $20 and $50 per gift.
What influences Christmas gift-buying decisions?
When it comes to gift inspiration, gift guides are the most influential, with 56.2% turning to articles (by platforms like Honeycombers) for ideas. Social platforms also play a role, with 44.7% influenced by Instagram and 19.2% by TikTok. Others rely on online reviews (44.7%) or recommendations from friends and family (48.3%).
What type of Christmas meals do people prefer?
Traditional festive meals dominate. 51.2% opt for Western-style Christmas meals, while 18.8% choose extravagant buffet spreads, and 13.4% prefer Asian-inspired festive food.
What are the most popular Christmas dishes and desserts?
Among festive favourites, log cakes lead at 20%, followed by turkey (16%), seafood (14%) and roast beef (13%).
Where do people get their Christmas food in Singapore?
Home dining remains central to celebrations. 35.1% prefer cooking at home, while 41.2% enjoy potluck gatherings. Dining out is also popular, with 41.2% eating at restaurants and 17.9% opting for hotel festive sets.
What are the top Christmas food trends in Singapore?
Emerging festive trends include festive cocktails and mulled wine (23.9%), festive afternoon teas (23.9%), and Asian-inspired roasts (19.9%).
How do people spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 34.7% dine out to enjoy the festive atmosphere, while 25.7% cook festive meals at home and 23.5% host potluck parties.
What are the most popular Christmas events in Singapore?
Festive events attract large crowds, with Christmas markets appealing to 70.7% of respondents and festive light-ups to 61.5%. Christmas parties (49.9%) and shopping promos and sales (49.9%) are also popular.
Where are the best Christmas light displays in Singapore?
Orchard Road is the most popular location, chosen by 50.1% of respondents. Gardens by the Bay follows at 20.1%.
What do people spend the most on during Christmas?
Food and dining account for the largest share of Christmas spending. 46.5% spend the most on dining out, while 33.1% allocate the biggest portion to groceries and home feasts.
What is the average Christmas budget in Singapore?
Overall spending remains moderate. 35.3% spend between $200 and $500, while 23.5% report budgets ranging from $500 to $1,000, and 22.4% spend under $200.
Have Christmas budgets increased or decreased?
Most respondents report stable spending. 62.2% say their budgets have stayed the same, while 20.6% are spending more and 13.2% are spending less.
What influences Christmas spending decisions in Singapore?
Festive sales and promotions are the biggest driver, influencing 55% of respondents. Recommendations from friends and family influence 15.2%, while 17.2% look to Honeycombers for Christmas gift guides and festive ideas.
These survey results offer a snapshot of how people in Singapore celebrate Christmas today, from how much they spend to where they eat, shop, and gather. The data highlights a festive season shaped by togetherness, practical spending, and a strong appetite for food, events, and shared experiences across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do people in Singapore usually celebrate Christmas?
Most people in Singapore celebrate Christmas at home. According to the survey, 37.6% of respondents host Christmas gatherings at home, making it the most popular way to mark the festive season. Dining out at restaurants follows at 22.4%, while 13.4% spend Christmas visiting shopping malls and festive attractions around the island.
Do people in Singapore travel overseas during Christmas?
Most stay local for Christmas. 80.5% spend the festive season in Singapore, while a smaller group travels abroad: 6.7% to visit family and friends, 6.5% to far-off destinations, and 6.3% for nearby tropical getaways.
How much do people in Singapore spend on Christmas?
Christmas spending remains measured and stable. 35.3% of respondents spend between $200 and $500 in total, while 23.5% budget $500 to $1,000, and 22.4% spend under $200.
Year-on-year spending is largely unchanged: 62.2% say their Christmas budget has stayed the same, compared to 20.6% who are spending more and 13.2% who are spending less. Food-related expenses make up the largest share of spending, particularly dining out and groceries for home feasts.
What are the most popular Christmas gifts in Singapore?
Home-focused gifts lead the way. 64.7% of respondents buy home and lifestyle items, making them the most popular Christmas gifts, followed closely by beauty and skincare sets at 62.4%. Kids’ toys and clothing rank third at 38.5%, alongside tech gadgets (32.9%).
Who do people buy Christmas gifts for in Singapore?
Gift-giving is largely family-oriented, with 80.8% buying presents for family members, 50.6% for partners, and 36.9% for children. Most shoppers keep per-gift spending modest, with 48.5% spending between $20 and $50 per gift.
Where do people go for Christmas events in Singapore?
Festive events are a key part of the Christmas experience. Christmas markets appeal to 70.7% of respondents, while festive light-ups attract 61.5%. Christmas parties and shopping promotions are also popular, each drawing 49.9%.
