Christmas is fast approaching so here are our top five tips on buying Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
According to Stats.govt.nz, retail spending using electronic cards was $8.5 billion in the July 2022 quarter, down from $18 billion in 2018 which shows that people are being very selective with their purchasing.
Credit card spending peaked in December which may indicate consumers are using these cards to buy Christmas gifts for their loved ones. The down side of using your credit card to purchase gifts to give at Christmas is that you will have to spend January paying it off.
Avoid using your credit card to purchase Christmas gifts this December by using our top five tips below:
Wants verses needs. Think about the person you are shopping for and identify their needs as opposed to their wants. They may have spoken about what they are wanting for Christmas, instead focus on what they actually need. We all have wants however our needs are far more important so should be the focus of your purchase first and foremost.
On selling. Are the items you are planning to buy for your loved ones likely to end up on Trade Me on Boxing Day? Think carefully about the gift and whether it is something that they will actually use. Sometimes we can have the best intentions when buying gifts for our loved ones however if they don't need or like it then chances are it will end up on a re-sell site the next day..
Give back. As our awareness increases and we become conscious consumers, have you thought about buying a gift that also gives back? I love the idea of buying something that not only benefits the recipient but also gives back to those in need. Make your money go further this Christmas and support one of the many organisations in NZ that offer a buy one, donate/give one concept so that more people can receive the help they so desperately need. Instead of buying your loved ones a gift that they will put up on Trade Me on Boxing Day, get them something that gives back to the community at the same time. (see below for some suggestions)
Keep it simple. Set a budget early on for how much you are going to spend on each item. Sometimes the more expensive the gift the less impressive it really is. Often the cheapest gifts have the most impact. Secret Santa's are a great way of keeping costs down and giving a gift that the recipient will use as a lot of thought has gone into the gift. You can use a Secret Santa online organiser to keep it simple and add so much fun to the experience.
Shop local. Keep your $$$ in NZ by supporting small local businesses who depend on your spending to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Buy NZ made wherever possible so that these small businesses are able to continue to do what they do best, helping others.
Here is a list of some of the many places you can give back to this Christmas:
Sanitary Products
https://www.dignitynz.com/Prescription Eye Wear
https://mrfoureyes.co.nz/pages/buy-one-give-one
https://www.clearly.co.nz/eyewear/our-missionDining
https://littlelunches.co.nz - Christchurch
https://www.zambrero.co.nz/plate4plate - Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, QueenstownOral Healthcare
https://dogooder.co.nz/Clothing
https://www.doublehappykids.co.nz/Stationary
https://www.frankstationery.com/pages/giving
https://epicbooks.co.nz/pages/860-BuyOne-GiveOneBible
Be sure to let me know if you find any others. Overall, have fun with your shopping and remember, the most memorable gifts are those that have some thought put into them as they come from your heart. We wish you all happy holidays and make the most of your magical memories with your loved ones this season and best of all take care of each other.
