A third of Australians worried about how they will pay for Christmas

More than a third of Australians are concerned about how they will pay for Christmas celebrations and are feeling pressured to spend more than they can afford.

The Salvation Army said data from Pureprofile found 34 per cent of the general public was feeling more stressed about the big day in 2021 than in 2020.

A quarter of respondents also said they were worried about their mental health.

But the fear of December 25 and the holiday season were further exacerbated in vulnerable communities.

Eight in ten households struggling financially were worried they could not afford presents for their children.

And more than half of the families who have previously sought help from the Salvation Army’s emergency relief service said they would also struggle to afford a special Christmas day lunch.

What’s supposed to be a happy holiday has become a dreaded time of year for those struggling to pay the bills.

Fifty-three per cent of at-risk families were not looking forward to Christmas, compared to just 10 per cent of the general population.

Salvation Army PR secretary Bruce Hammer said the COVID-19 pandemic had put a strain on families across the nation.

He said there had been an “ever-increasing” amount of people who had turned to the Salvos for food, support to pay the bills and for mental health support.

“We don’t want anyone to struggle in silence this Christmas and want to stress that there is no shame in reaching out for support,” Mr Hammer said.

He encouraged those in financially stable positions to donate to the charity’s Christmas appeal to help those in need.