It’s jingle all the pay
Research shows gift-giving ‘obligation’ is blowing the budget
HALF of people who give Christmas gifts feel pressured to spend more than they want to, research has found.
But the topic of cutting back can be taboo, with many saying they have a “sense of obligation” to hand over presents.
The ME bank research found nine in 10 Australians intend to give gifts this year.
Yet almost half of those who take part in the tradition conceded they would rather give less.
Work colleagues, extended family and in-laws were those they would most prefer to ditch from their present lists.
Victorians will spend an average $519-$621 on Christmas gifts this year, according to separate studies by the Commonwealth Bank and PayPal.
Tuesday, December 18, and Saturday, December 22, are predicted peak days for shopping for friends and family.
ME’s survey of 1000 adults revealed: THREE in five think it is acceptable to re-gift presents they don’t like.
THREE in five approve of asking family for cash instead of presents.
ONE in three believe it is acceptable to return a fullprice gift and rebuy it during sales.
ALMOST one in three agree it is acceptable to avoid some friends and family until after Christmas so you can buy them cheaper gifts at sales.
Mother-of-two Danielle Haddrick expects to splurge about $1000 on Christmas presents. “I just suck it up. I don’t cut out presents because I am from a big family,” she said.
A nurse, she does some extra shifts to get through the festive spending season.
ME money expert Matthew Read said many Austra- lians could relate to “present pain”. “If you struggle to pay for gifts there are things you can do,” Mr Read said.
“Consumers should have the courage to talk to their circle about unnecessary gift giving. It’s highly likely they feel the same way.”