Little and cheap? That'll do for Mum

Photo / Chris Skelton

New Zealanders spend up large at Christmas on partners and children, but not on their parents, siblings and friends, a survey has found.

The Fly Buys shopping intentions survey found 42 per cent of us spend more than $101 on our partners, but only 10 per cent are willing to spend the same amount on their Mum and Dad.

Children also do better than parents - 39 per cents of those surveyed spend more than $101 on each of their offspring.

Fly Buys chief executive Lance Walker said it was not surprising Kiwis were likely to spend the most money on their partners and children, but there was a marked difference between spending limits.

"It seems parents lavish their children with expensive gifts, but as grown-up children we don't return the favour to our parents."

Friends and siblings are the most likely to receive the cheapest gifts, according to the survey conducted by Colmar Brunton.

Only 3 per cent said they would spend more than $101 on their brothers and sisters, and 1 per cent said they would spend this amount on each of their friends.

The survey also shows we are not fond of "re-gifting" - passing on unwanted gifts to unsuspecting family and friends.

Sixty-seven per cent said it was not on to "re-gift" - but that leaves more than a quarter of us who have no qualms about passing on that unwanted necktie, sweater or set of cake forks.

Selling gifts on Trade Me has also become another way of cashing in on unwanted gifts, but only 23 per cent of the 1000 people polled thought this was okay.

"It might be worth checking online on Boxing Day to see if any of the gifts you spent hours shopping for are going cheap," said Mr Walker.

The survey also revealed 52 per cent think it acceptable to give cash as a Christmas present.

But when the cash is in the form of a gift voucher, it is okay with 86 per cent.

ART OF GIVING
44 per cent spend more than $101 on their partner.
39 per cent of parents spend more than $101 on each child.
10 per cent spend more than $101 on their parents.
25 per cent think it acceptable to "re-gift"presents.

TELL US
How much do you spend on Christmas shopping? Email: newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz