According to a recent survey, almost a third of Irish people (30%) spend over a full day of time choosing gifts at Christmas. The survey, of over 300 Irish adults, examined the choices we make at Christmas from picking presents to choosing who we spend time with.
DINNER OR GIFTS?
According to the research, if we had to choose between having Christmas dinner or receiving a gift this festive season, almost 3 in 4 (72%) would choose Christmas dinner. When given the choice of where to spend Christmas, it seems there really is no place like home, with 63% saying they would opt to spend Christmas at home with family and friends. Only 4% would like to spend the festive season on their own and 6% say they would choose to spend it abroad.
CELEBRITY GUEST OF CHOICE
If we could pick a celebrity to spend Christmas with, funny man Brendan O’Carroll would be our top choice, with 1 in 4 claiming they would love to have him over on December 25. Proving that humour is a top priority for a Christmas dinner guest, 1 in 5 say Chris O’Dowd would be an ideal Christmas companion and 8% say Amy Huberman would be an ideal festive guest.
BEING CHOOSEY
When it comes to Secret Santa, over half (59%) say they dread choosing a work colleague they don’t know well. Almost 1 in 5 (19%) say selecting their boss would be their Kris Kindle nightmare, while 15% the worst possible choice would be their Mother-in-Law!
While almost 1 in 4 (23%) determine who they buy gifts for based on how much money they have, while 58% say they only buy gifts for immediate family and friends.
Although 56% admit to asking loved ones in advance what they want for Christmas, 30% love to surprise them. In fact, over a third (34%) admit to overruling what someone has asked for and instead choosing a gift that they think they will love.
CHRISTMAS PLANNING
The survey, undertaken by Carphone Warehouse, found that over a third (37%) of respondents say they start planning for Christmas straight after Hallowe’en while 30% say planning does not kick off until 1st December 58% set out a budget in advance but equally 59% admit to opting to blow the budget once the festive spirit kicks in.
