The cost of many Christmas experiences like santa visits and panto trips have shot up from last year.
Not only are families having to deal with the increasing costs of running a home and general living expenses, many of the usual Christmas traditions have also been subjected to price increases.
A scan of Santa experience prices for this year compared with last year shows that many providers have increased the cost of entry.
The price increases for many experiences and shows are small but in a season where spending will be high every euro increase will have an overall impact.
What many experiences are doing too is charging increasing prices for adults to visit, which is having a big impact on the overall price.
The Cork North Pole Outpost Experience in Cuskinny, last year charged two parents an entry fee of €40 whereas this year it will cost those two adults €44 for entry.
There is also an additional €15 fee for a photo, which has not been increased in price from last year.
The Santa experience at Blarney is always a popular choice for Cork families. Last year, they charged an entry fee of €4 for two adults whereas this year that has increased to €6.
The entry fee for Santa’s Magical Cabin at Dunnes Stores in Cork City has also increased by €1 for two adults. The cost of a photo here has increased from €16 to €18.
In Dublin, the cost for two adults at the Christmas Experience at Malahide Castle has gone up by €4 to €44 for two adults for peak visits. This is up significantly from the €8 they charged in 2016.
It is not just Santa experiences seeing price hikes.
The cost of tickets for the Cork Opera House panto for a family of four, two adults and two children is gone up from €145 last year to €155 this year for most shows.
They add €2.50 onto the ticket for anyone buying online to cover “administration and systems costs”.
The cost of seeing the other Cork panto, at the Everyman Theatre has also increased. A family ticket here is up from €124 to €134 this year and they add on an additional €10 in fees also.
In Dublin, the big panto at the Gaiety is actually the same price as last year. For four tickets of what they say are the ‘best seats’ for a January show it will cost €200 plus an additional €25 in what they say are ‘fees’.
Also for the panto at the Limerick Concert Hall, it will once again cost €108 for a family of four to go and then you will also pay an additional €8 in ‘booking charges’. This is the same as last year.
The price for the Christmas show at the Bord Gáis Theatre is also up on last year. Last year’s show was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and last year four of the ‘best seats’ cost €282.40 for two adults and two children.
This year for Mary Poppins the same seats will cost €300 plus €32.40 in charges.
Back in Cork the improv panto which is for adults and runs at the Cork Opera House late in the evenings has increased in price from €22.50 last year to €28.50 this year.
Financial expert, Paul Merriman, founder of askpaul says that as the festive season approaches, families often feel the pressure of rising costs associated with holiday experiences like Santa visits, ice-skating, and pantomimes.
He suggests that the key to managing these increased expenses is early preparation and smart budgeting. Mr Merriman says it is important to start your Christmas budget well in advance.
“Families should anticipate these rising costs and plan for them early in the year. By setting aside a small amount each month for holiday expenses, you can spread out the financial burden rather than facing a large bill in December.
“With many holiday activities becoming more expensive, it is a good idea to be selective.
Another tip he offers, is setting up a dedicated holiday fund which he says can make a significant difference.
“Automatically diverting a portion of your income into this fund, even if it’s a small amount helps build up savings throughout the year, so you’re not caught off guard by holiday spending.”
“To help ease the financial strain, families should look for ways to save through discounts, cashback offers, vouchers, and loyalty programs.
“Many retailers and service providers offer festive promotions, which can reduce costs significantly. Keep an eye out for these deals in the lead-up to Christmas and plan purchases around them.
“By following these strategies, budgeting early, prioritising key experiences, and taking advantage of discounts, families can manage the rising costs of holiday fun without stretching their finances too thin.”
