Most Aussies Admit They’ll Miss The Mark With Gift-Giving This Christmas

As the festive season fast approaches, many of us cast our minds (and wallets) to what to get our loved ones, often with a fair bit of worry.

New research conducted by PayPal has revealed that more than a third of Aussies (35%) feel they will hit the nail on the head with their gift giving but well over half (59%) have admitted they are not so confident when it comes to buying for others. A further 6% of people have resigned themselves to the fact that they are terrible gift givers.

To help take the stress out of Christmas shopping this year, PayPal has launched the 2018 Shop off the Beaten Path gifting portal, where Aussies can easily find unique gifts, matching potential presents to the traits and interests of your loved ones. If you’re someone who struggles to keep spending in check at Christmas time, you’ll also find a handy gift budget as a guide on how much Aussies should allocate their spending between friends and family.

How many gifts are we buying?

On average, Aussies will purchase around ten gifts for our loved ones, including family, friends and colleagues. Special mention goes to Aussie Mums who spend the most in total ($799 average) and buy almost double the amount of pressies in comparison to Dads (11 vs. 6). Wives and girlfriends are also in luck on Christmas day, with their partners set to be spending the most on their gifts this festive season.

Are we nailing it?

Aussie blokes wouldn’t be surprised to hear that wives and girlfriends were deemed the hardest to buy for (23%), followed closely by Mums (21%). Ironically, it’s the wives and girlfriends of Australia who are the most likely (82%) to nail their Christmas gift giving – so there is no question around who has been paying the most attention or who your favourite presents will be coming from this year.

Unfortunately, Grandparents were found to be the least likely to nail their Christmas shopping (9%) which could be related to the fact that they stick to the tightest budget for all their gift giving ($466). It’s not all doom and gloom for grandparents though (for them anyway) being crowned the easiest to please when it comes to gift satisfaction.

It would appear the siblings of Australia will be on the top of Santa’s naughty list this Christmas, with over a quarter (28%) saying that they won’t be purchasing for their brothers or sisters this year. On the contrary, Mums will top the nice list, with Aussies likely to spend more on Mums ($72) compared to Dads ($55).

How Much Are We Spending?

On average, Aussies will spend $592.60 this year on Christmas gifts. To help Aussies spend within their means, PayPal has developed a budget guide on how to carve up this year’s gifting budget:

Gift Receiver	% of Budget	Average Spend
Partner	40%	$238.50
Parents	15%	$89.40
Sibling/s	15%	$89.40
Grandparent/s	15%	$89.40
Friend/s	10%	$59.60
Kris Kringle	5%	$28.50

What Are We Buying?

Besides gift cards, which were the number one most wanted gift this year across the board? Here is what Aussies are looking forward to unwrapping this Christmas:

Gen Y / Millennials (18 – 34)

● Clothing

● Travel/holidays

● Jewellery

Millennials are the most likely to want something relating to their hobbies.

Mum

● Travel/holidays

● Jewellery

● Clothing

Mums are most likely to be happy to receive a gift in the first place.

Gen X (35 – 49)

● Technology/gadgets

● Clothing

● Travel/holidays

Gen Xers are the most likely to want something that’s thoughtful.

Dad

● Technology/gadgets

● Alcohol

● Clothing

Dads are the most likely to want something relating to their hobbies.

Baby Boomers (50 – 64)

● Jewellery/watch

● Clothing

● Alcohol

Baby Boomers are the least likely to want something unique or unusual

Wife/girlfriend

● Travel/holidays

● Experiences

● Jewellery

Wives & girlfriends are the least likely to want something relating to their hobbies.

Grey (65+)

● Books

● Clothing

● Technology/gadgets

The Greys are the most likely to be happy to receive a gift in the first place.

Husband/boyfriend

● Technology

● Clothing

● Alcohol

Husbands & boyfriends are the least likely to want something thoughtful.

18 Comments

- - mom460689 said
  - 23 Oct 2020
    2:01 pm
I get the kids to write a Christmas list to Santa so I know what they want. My spouse and I buy something we would like for ourselves. No suprises but no wasted money.

- - mom129591 said
  - 03 Jul 2019
    11:08 pm
That was interesting to look at. I like gift carding as I can be assured they will be happy.

- - Blossom said
  - 11 Jan 2019
    9:35 pm
In a group I am in we had a Kris Kringle of $5.00. It is surprising what you can buy for a small amount if you do some research. Many in the group are older generations so it was affordable and fun for them Some got really useful presents, others just thought they were amusing.
I spend the biggest % on the children. Their stockings often contain underwear, socks, coloured pencils and other small items they will need for school, plus a few good quality treats.

- - mom111059 said
  - 08 Jan 2019
    12:52 pm
Sorry but Kris Kringle isn’t on my gift list (apart from a piece of cake and drink).

- - MrsA said
  - 30 Dec 2018
    9:10 pm
I don’t spend anywhere near that much. My mum and I decided to spend $20 each. I bought her a plant she wanted…she gave me a $100 gift card. I told my husband not to get me anything. I gave him 2 shirts (that be bought and wrapped) and a microwave splatter guard…he gave me a $100 gift card and 3 bottles of wine. We bought my MIL some books she wanted and a framed photo… she gave us $100 each.
I do not understand why people feel a need to spend so much money. I know people are trying to help me because I have lost a lot of weight and will need all new clothes. I appreciate the presents I have received but I honestly would have been happy to get nothing. I find it very materialistic and people seem to buy things just for the sake of it.

- - Ellen said
  - 30 Dec 2018
    3:54 am
I always spend more then I want, because I want to be generous and spoil those who I love.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 29 Dec 2018
    12:45 pm
Oh we don’t spend much at all, maybe $50 max, it’s not a big deal for us.

- - mom101628 said
  - 28 Dec 2018
    10:44 am
No way will I be spending this much

- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    1:09 pm
This year Iam doing all gift cards I found it easier for me and the receiver will buy whatever they want

- - mom90758 said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    11:03 am
Does an Australian family really spend almost 600 dollars in gifts at Christmas time? Oh well, I guess we are not an average Australian family!
- mom93821 replied
  
  16 Dec 2018 , 6:41 am
  Don’t worry! Either are we! We stick to a budget – no point in being under any financial stress for the remainder of the year just for Christmas!
- - becstalou said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    10:11 am
I carry a note in my wallet and write on it any time someone talks about something they’d love. That way at Christmas or Birthday times I have a list and I just need to make sure they didn’t already get it.

- - mom93821 said
  - 15 Dec 2018
    4:47 am
I don’t go with the trend as I love to receive gifts related to my hobbies.

- - Mum2archer said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    11:42 pm
Very interesting article. It gets so hard the older people get I think. I always try to think of something out of the box, but if all else fails, I get a gift card and present it in a creative way so they still have fun with it

- - mom112217 said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    9:03 pm
A good article on what we spend,just about right!

- - BellaB said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    7:11 pm
Well, trying hard to get it right should count.

- - mom206279 said
  - 14 Dec 2018
    6:40 pm
They don’t have a % spent on children? That really needs to be included.
- Ellen replied
  
  15 Dec 2018 , 4:14 am
  Yes, think so too