One in three Brits say concerns for the planet, saving their loved ones money and ethical shopping are all key considerations this Christmas

As we head into the final run-up to Christmas, many of us will be making final preparations for the big day. And high on the list for one in three Brits this year is caring for the planet, saving loved ones money and making ethical shopping decisions.

We recently carried out research¹ which revealed changes in people’s gift giving habits this Christmas. More than one third (37%) of people plan to ask their loved ones not to buy them Christmas gifts this year to save them money. The same percentage of people say they plan to avoid going overboard on consumer goods purchases because it’s bad for the planet, while 33% say ethical decision-making is high on their Christmas agenda – avoiding things like fast fashion, imported goods and rushed next day deliveries.

What’s more, some people no longer wish to even receive gifts. One in five (22%) people surveyed say they plan to ask people not to buy them gifts this Christmas simply because they don’t want to have to buy one back. While one in ten (12%) are planning to ask people to donate to charity on their behalf instead of purchasing a gift.

Jo Horton, Environmental, Social and Governance Manager at E.ON, said: “It’s truly heartening to see the care and consideration many people are now putting at the heart of their Christmas plans. We all know this time of year can be a time of overindulgence as well as one of celebration and togetherness, whether you celebrate Christmas or not.

“Yet recent decades have shown the harm over consumption can have – on our planet, our communities and our wallets. So it’s good to see many people are now thinking more about the implications of what they buy, where they buy from and indeed whether they need to buy at all. All this points towards a society that is becoming increasingly careful and conscious about how we live our day-to-day lives, which can only be good for society as a whole.”

From energy efficiency and sustainable solutions to support for our most vulnerable customers and community support through schemes such as the npower Business Solutions Foundation, E.ON, E.ON Next and npower Business Solutions are all dedicated to supporting customers and communities across the UK this Christmas and beyond.

E.ON Next recently announced a new partnership with the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, the Woodland Trust, where the energy supplier now automatically makes a donation to the charity on behalf of each customer who signs up to an E.ON Next fixed term tariff, at no extra charge to the customer.

And E.ON is dedicated to championing diversity and inclusion within the organisation, and is now one of the UK’s leading inclusive employers.

To find out more about the work E.ON is doing to help take society forward, read our ‘People, Power and Purpose’ report, produced in partnership with The Purpose Coalition. The report showcases E.ON, E.ON Next and npower Business Solutions’ current initiatives and achievements on social impact and sets the stage for an ambitious and equitable future, delivered in partnership with our colleagues, communities, businesses and policy makers.