Concern Kiwis overspending at Christmas

A quarter of Kiwis buy between 11 and 30 gifts at Christmas time. Photo / iStock

Women are the big buyers at Christmas time - purchasing presents for nine people on average during the silly season, three more than their male counterparts.

But a quarter of Kiwis go even further, buying between 11 and 30 gifts at Christmas time, a Colmar Brunton survey has found - despite a majority of 59 per cent of the 1000 people surveyed saying they feel Christmas is too commercial.

And Colmar Brunton chief executive Jacqueline Farman says it's a worry.

"That raises the question of affordability. We found 14 per cent are already resigned to spending more than they can afford this year, but the reality could be far more Kiwi consumers overspending,"

And though 45 per cent of people said they were highly unlikely to spend more than they could afford, 41 per cent wavered between likely and unlikely - suggesting overspending was a distinct possibility for many.

"Clearly New Zealanders are motivated to do whatever it takes to put smiles on the kids' faces on Christmas morning, with two thirds of those who say they're likely to overspend [saying they] will do so on kids' presents."

Meanwhile, many of those surveyed were turned off by Boxing Day sales, with 58 per cent keen to give them a miss.

Ms Farman said historically speaking, tills were likely to ring out strongly on the day after Christmas - but not for late present shoppers.

"Any suggestion that more and more people will put off buying presents until Boxing Day appears to be a myth. Just 6 per cent of Kiwis plan on doing that, with everyone else aiming to have their presents bought, wrapped and under the tree before the big day."

Kiwis hated holiday season overcrowding, the survey found, as well as traffic, increased prices for holiday destinations and attractions, overspending and Christmas shopping.

Favourite things about the season were family get-togethers, food, catching up with friends, having fun in the sun and not having to work.

The survey has a maximum margin of error of + or - 3.1 per cent.