Christmas shopping is well under way, with three-quarters of New Zealanders having already started buying for their loved ones.
Toys were the planned gift of choice, though the trend indicated people chose gifts that were "significant and thoughtful" rather than "expensive and impressive".
International toy manufacturer Mattel surveyed more than 1000 New Zealanders and found one-third were well prepared for the festive season, having tackled their Christmas shopping lists by picking up items throughout the year.
The report stated a further 19 per cent started Christmas shopping in October "to beat the rush", while another 23 per cent joined in from mid-November.
The remaining 25 per cent said they would not think about their shopping list until December.
Toys were the favoured gift for 58 per cent of those surveyed, followed by clothing and sporting and outdoor gear, with 17 per cent and 9 per cent respectively. Eight per cent of shoppers planned to buy books, video games or electronic devices as Christmas gifts.
Overwhelmingly, 89 per cent of people said the most important factor when buying a Christmas gift - particularly for children - was something "significant and thoughtful, specifically selected for the child".
These values were reflected in the shopping habits of people at the largest shopping centre in the Western Bay.
Bayfair Shopping Centre management noted an increase in shoppers through the centre throughout November, particularly on Thursdays and Saturdays, the centre's busiest days.
The increase in foot-traffic of between 16 and 39 per cent on those days indicated shoppers were preparing themselves for Christmas, marketing manager Nina Rivett said.
In October, Bayfair surveyed more than 600 people in the Tauranga area and the results showed a diverse approach to Christmas shopping.
Just under a third said they would expect to be last-minute shoppers while just over a third said their Christmas shopping was "well-planned".
Almost half surveyed agreed they would probably spend more than they could afford.
Last year, most men said they would spend between $200 and $300 on gifts.
This year's Bayfair Shopping Centre survey results showed the majority of men would spend between $400 and $500. Most women would spend the same amount as last year - about $550 on gifts.
Ms Rivett said Tauranga residents were not afraid to drop hints to their loved ones on what they would like for Christmas, with 37 per cent of those surveyed saying they would tell their Santa directly what they would like for Christmas.
Furthermore, 31 per cent would "unashamedly" drop their hint into conversation "as often as possible", she said.
Mount Mainstreet manager Leanne Brown said the past few months had "too many variables" to properly gauge whether more people were out shopping ahead of Christmas.
"We've had so many more variables than ever before, first with the Rugby World Cup, then Rena, so there's a lot more variation this year. So it's too hard to tell whether more people are out Christmas shopping."
She said the key to successful Christmas shopping was to be organised and plan who you needed to buy for.
"If you make rash decisions, you generally end up regretting them and spending more money than you should. If you prepare yourself who you need to buy for, then that's one step in the right direction."
If haven't started your Christmas shopping - there are still 28 shopping days left until Christmas Day.