We are a budget-conscious lot when it comes to our Christmas shopping, but while we want to get a lot of bang for our buck, most of us still want to buy gifts that are somewhat unique or at least a little out of the ordinary.
That is according to the results of a survey conducted by Australia’s most awarded online experience retailer, RedBalloon.
And they should know more than anyone what we are likely to find in our stockings this year, having attracted more than 7 million visitors to their website in the last year and delivered over two million experience gifts since they launched in 2001.
The survey found that three-quarters of the respondents (75%) chose gifts based on their uniqueness, although we are also very careful with our cash, with 81% choosing gifts according to a pre-determined level of spend.
Over half of us (54%) look for the best value option when shopping for Christmas gifts, while 10% of us really look to push the boat out, desiring nothing but the most luxurious and unique gifts for our significant others, while another 10% are at the other end of the spectrum, with convenience the overriding consideration when it comes to doing their Christmas shopping.
It also seems we’re a nation of petrol heads and pampered princesses, if what we intend to surprise our other halves with this Christmas is anything to go by. V8 race car driving continues to be the most popular choice of experience gifts for Aussie men, while makeup lessons top the list of gifts for our ladies.
“Experience gifts such as these tend to leave a lasting impression as they are typically something that you wouldn’t necessarily think of buying yourself, but something that you will love nonetheless,” says Kristie Buchanan, CEO at RedBalloon. “Also, the fact that your loved one has put so much thought into giving you an experience they know you will love and treasure, make it that bit more special,” adds Kristie.
RedBalloon’s five most-popular gifts this Christmas:
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“When it comes to the most popular gifts for men and women, there is a very clear definition along gender lines,” says Kristie, “but when it comes to the overall list of popular gifts across both genders, dining experiences still come out on top, which illustrates that you can’t go wrong with the gift of a special meal out,” says Kristie.
This is evident in the list of the most popular gifts state by state, with a two course lunch with wine coming out on top in NSW, a champagne breakfast heading the list in Victoria, and a lunch cruise leading the lists in Queensland and WA. Only South Australia bucked that trend, with V8 race car driving topping the overall list of gifts in the state.
South Australia’s top 5!
- V8 race car driving
- Kayaking
- Rally driving
- Introductory flight
- Swim with dolphins