Midsummer celebration may punch an unexpectedly large hole in family budgets

Midsummer may seem like a small expense at first glance, but scattered purchases, food, fuel, accommodation and last-minute shopping can add up to a much larger sum than families originally planned. Citadele Bank statistics show that during midsummer week, the average grocery basket increased from €14.50 to nearly €18 last year, while online shopping carts grew from €24 to €34. A Citadele Bank expert recommends drawing up a simple budget before the holiday and settling financial agreements with friends early.

Midsummer may not seem like a major financial challenge at first glance, but costs spread over several days can punch a surprisingly large hole in a family budget. Food and drinks, fuel, accommodation, visiting friends and last-minute purchases accumulate quickly, and the final bill often turns out to be much larger than initially expected.

Statistics reveal the truth

Citadele Bank's card transaction data from last year shows a clear pattern: during midsummer week, people spent significantly more on food than in typical weeks. While the number of grocery store visits remained at the same level compared to the end of May, the total amount spent increased by 24%. The average shopping basket grew from €14.50 to nearly €18.

An even larger jump appeared in online stores, where the average shopping cart grew from €24 to €34. "These figures reflect the average, which is also affected by small few-euro purchases. For many families, the amount spent on midsummer food is often several times larger. Still, the increase in the average amount shows that people allow themselves more than usual," said Edward Rebane, head of Citadele Bank's Baltic retail banking.

Why costs come as a surprise

According to Rebane, no individual midsummer-related purchase seems particularly significant when viewed separately. Grilled food, extra trips, snacks, ice cream for children, mosquito repellent, raincoats, camping equipment-all of this adds up to an unexpectedly large sum over the course of several days.

"Midsummer is an interesting example of a holiday that people often don't consider expensive. With Christmas, the start of the school year or a holiday trip, people think more about the budget, but for many people midsummer just seems like a few days of gathering," explained Rebane.

The situation is complicated by the scattered purchasing pattern. For Christmas, people typically make one large shopping basket, but for midsummer, some items are bought in advance, some on the way, some at the party site and some on the return trip. This makes it difficult to track total spending.

Practical tips for families

Rebane recommends drawing up a simple budget before the holiday with at least three main categories: food and drinks, transport and unexpected expenses. "The most practical tip is to set a sum before midsummer that you want to stay within. If that sum is, for example, €150, then it's worth checking whether food, fuel, visiting friends and other costs fit within it. Without limits, budgets tend to expand, because each new purchase seems justified on its own," he said.

In friend groups and families, it's worth settling financial matters early. "Talking about money shouldn't ruin any party. On the contrary, a clear agreement makes things easier. If the group decides in advance who buys what and how costs are shared, there's less room for later awkwardness," added Rebane.

The expert especially warns against covering midsummer-related expenses with loan or credit money. "If the party is over but there's still payment due in the autumn, that's a sign that the cost was larger than actual means. A midsummer dinner spread, party clothes or entertainment shouldn't become a long-term financial obligation," said Rebane.