Kiwis are splurging more and planning ahead this silly season

68 per cent of Aotearoa plan to spend between $200-$1,000 this Christmas, a 4 per cent increase when compared with 2020. We also found that 13 per cent of the country are big spenders, setting aside more than $1,000 for their budget this Christmas.

We reckon these spending jumps reflect New Zealanders’ desire to celebrate with loved ones and make it a special day after the year that was. As a result, it looks like there will be a few extra pressies waiting under the tree.

Our survey results showed that global supply chain challenges as a result of the pandemic has meant Kiwis are getting in early to avoid missing out this silly season. 24 per cent of Kiwis said they had their Christmas shopping done and dusted as early as October, while 51 per cent said they will be wrapped and ready come December 1.

We’re seeing evidence of this onsite too. In October we saw over 74,500 searches for ‘Christmas’, an 11 per cent increase when compared to the same month last year. We also saw over 32,000 searches for ‘Christmas tree’ in October, marking a year-on-year increase of 24 per cent as Kiwis brighten up their homes with tinsel and lights.

Our survey results showed that lots of Kiwis are set to give and receive preloved presents this silly season. 39 per cent of Kiwis said at least some of their Christmas shopping will be secondhand.

Our recent 2021 Secondhand Report showed that in the past six months alone, 3 in 4 Kiwis have bought something secondhand with 83 per cent saying they are proud of doing so. We’re not surprised to see this reflected in our Christmas shopping, especially this year when Kiwis are facing stock shortages.

When asked why Kiwis like to shop secondhand at Christmas, survey respondents said it was the best way to find rare and unique gifts as well as being a golden opportunity to get more bang for your buck.

For the second year in a row, the happiest shoppers lived in Canterbury with 71 per cent saying they don’t mind making purchases during the holiday season.

To sweeten the Christmas shopping process, Northlanders were the most likely to dabble in a bit of self-gifting with 55 per cent of Northland respondents admitting to popping an extra gift in their shopping cart for themselves.

As a whole, half of the country like to buy themselves something when they’re shopping for others. The least likely to self-gift were those in Manawatū where just 36 per cent of respondents said they buy themselves a little something while they tick off their Christmas shopping.