Will You Be Driving To Visit Relatives At Christmas?

Here’s the latest information from Saab regarding our travel habits over the festive period:

Despite the flurry of snow and cold weather hitting the UK this week, it seems that Brits won’t be put off by the bad weather when it comes to visiting friends and relatives over Christmas.

Research released today by Swedish car manufacturer Saab GB, shows that the average family travels up to 207 miles over the festive period, making five stops to drop off the 37 presents they’ve bought for friends and family for a total of £520.49.

85 per cent of families refuse to travel on Christmas Day – preferring to have already arrived at their destination, or staying at home for the entire 24 hours. Instead, 36 per cent of folk will travel before the 24 December, and 18 per cent will arrive at friends and family on Christmas Eve. In the lead up to Christmas Brits will make three long distance car journeys of 59-miles and a further two short 15 mile trips to deliver presents.

The figures emerged in a study of 3,000 households, which also shows that Brits are spending more cash than ever in December.

As well as giving more than £500 worth of presents, they will also receive an average of 21 presents to the tune of £248.28.

This means a staggering 58 presents worth just under £800 will be passed between immediate family, friends and extended family members such as uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins. The North East will be the most generous with 43 per cent planning to exchange more than 20 presents with family members this Christmas.

Meanwhile, those in Northern Ireland are expected to make the most trips with 17 per cent planning more than eight trips to visit friends and family this year, whilst people in East Anglia will travel the furthest, averaging 80 miles over the Christmas period.