KEY POINTS:
If you're not sure about what is waiting for you under the Christmas tree this year, chances are it is a book, CD, DVD, theatre or concert ticket.
A survey of more than 11,000 people across 16 countries on attitudes to Christmas shows New Zealanders are among the
most generous when it came to buying gifts, but our idea of the perfect gift is shared by Australians, Britons, Germans and Italians.
The survey by investment firm AXA showed working New Zealanders spend less than their counterparts in the US - with an average of $839 being spent on gifts this year compared to the US average of $1701 - but more than the Japanese, who spend just $269.
Almost all New Zealanders - 89 per cent of those surveyed - buy presents and for most - 91 per cent - the choice is books, CDs, DVDs, theatre or concert tickets.
Chocolates and sweets came in at second [85 per cent] and clothing is the third most popular choice [81 per cent].
Clothes are the first choice of gift in China, Hong Kong, Spain and America. Japan bucked the trends by most people choosing toys as their preferred gift.
Men are more likely to spend their money on things for the home while women preferred to buy clothes. Computer hardware and mobile phones were the least-popular gifts.
Despite a third of New Zealanders saying Christmas was a time of stress, more than a half said it was a time of excitement.
And although it is a time for merriment, one in 10 New Zealanders suffers from loneliness during Christmas, and nearly a quarter feel indifferent about it.
New Zealanders topped the survey when rating happiness and love as their favourite Christmas wishes.
But while toasts to wealth and prosperity were likely to be the last for New Zealanders, the people of Hong Kong rating them as their top wishes.
AXA's general manager of marketing, Ruth Colenso, said: "We're seeing that Kiwis are kind-hearted and giving, but not particularly materialistic."
STOCKING FILLERS
Most popular choice of presents:
Books, CD, DVD, theatre or concert tickets (91%).
Least popular:
Computer hardware (12%)
Christmas is a time of:
* Happiness 87%
* Excitement 67%
* Stress 35%
* Indifference 23%
* Loneliness 9 %
Average Christmas budget (NZ dollars):
* USA $1701
* NZ $839
* Japan $269