This year, a smaller share of Russians plans to celebrate the New Year modestly and quietly. A study conducted by Fix Price and Romir, reviewed by socialbites.ca, shows that 19% of Russians intend to celebrate in a restrained, low-key way this year, down from 28% in 2022. The shift suggests a gradual return to more traditional, intimate family gatherings, even as many still prioritize simplicity over extravagance compared to earlier years.
Meanwhile, 4% of respondents plan to celebrate the holiday with a larger scale than last year, a modest increase from the 2% who did so the year before. The segment describing holiday celebrations as normal or typical rose by 8 percentage points, reaching 70% of those surveyed. This signals a broad base of households choosing familiar routines while still accommodating some variation in how they mark the occasion.
When regional patterns are considered, nine out of ten Russians expect to celebrate the New Year within their own region, seven percent will celebrate somewhere else in Russia but outside their home region, and a mere 1% anticipate travelling to another country. These allocations remained largely stable year over year, indicating entrenched preferences for domestic celebration settings and familiar surroundings.
The survey also found that 67% of respondents intend to decorate either their home or their workplace for the holidays. Spending plans for decor show that 35% are willing to allocate between 1,000 and 2,500 rubles, while 28% prefer to stay under 1,000 rubles. The emphasis on budget-friendly festive touches reflects careful budgeting amid fluctuating household costs, with many opting for practical, yet meaningful seasonal adornments.
Top choices for creating a festive mood include Christmas tree decorations (49%), home Christmas décor (42%), wreaths (42%), candles and home fragrances (25%), and new tableware or dishes (13%). A quarter of respondents also report reusing decorations from the previous year, underscoring a practical approach that combines sentiment with economy.
This year, 77% of participants expressed a wish to prepare New Year gifts for relatives and friends, slightly higher than last year’s 75.3%. The uplift suggests a renewed emphasis on personal gestures and thoughtful tokens during the holiday season.
Average budgets for gifts appear to have risen. Most Russians (58%) plan to spend up to 5,000 rubles, about 29% aim for 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, and 13% anticipate exceeding 10,000 rubles. By comparison, in 2022, 62% allocated up to 5,000 rubles, 30% spent between 5,000 and 10,000 rubles, and 9% spent above 10,000 rubles, indicating a general uptick in holiday generosity as prices and needs shift.
Geographic differences show the largest gift budgets concentrated in Siberia and the Central Federal District, where 17% and 15% respectively were ready to spend more than 10,000 rubles, while the Volga Federal District had the highest proportion planning gifts in the up-to-5,000 ruble range. These regional patterns reveal how local economies and living costs shape holiday generosity across the country.
“The results from this year’s research point to an earlier start for New Year preparations compared with prior seasons. Budgets and weekly expenses have inched upward for the second consecutive month. Beyond everyday items, people are adding small gifts, decor, and creative items to their pre-holiday baskets, which may indicate a broader shift in consumer sentiment,” commented Inna Karaeva, general director of Romir. (Source: Fix Price and Romir)
Looking at beliefs about the season, 35% of Russians feel that New Year is a time of miracles when wishes may come true, while 28% remain skeptical yet still take action. In terms of wish content, most desires tilt toward abstract life goals (49%), though a sizable 30% hope for something that can be bought with money.
On average, 28% of Russians report that their wishes did not come true more often than they did, while 26% say the opposite. Residents of St. Petersburg appear to be more optimistic about New Year wishes than people in several other regions, although optimism wanes somewhat in the Far Eastern Federal District.
The survey also touches on practical questions about travel for the holiday season, including how people consider affordable stays in the Moscow region for the New Year, illustrating ongoing interest in accessible, convenient getaways without significant disruption to customary family rituals. (Source: Fix Price and Romir)