Winners National Gifting Survey Gets at the Heart of Canadian Gifting Habits

Winners survey reveals who Canadians find most and least enjoyable to buy for, what women really want from their significant other and the hard truth about re-gifting.

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's leading off-price fashion retailer, Winners, released the results of its November 2012 National Gifting Survey, revealing the habits of Canadians when it comes to giving and receiving during the holidays. "It's heart-warming to learn the enjoyment Canadians get out of holiday gift-giving. From reported tricky-to-shop-for fathers to the beloved family pet (whom 60 per cent of Canadians stated they also shop for), Canadians revealed a sense of pride in their gift-giving abilities. From a thoughtful small gesture for the host, to a luxurious item for a loved one, Winners is excited to help gift-givers across the country find that perfect present this holiday season," says Sarah Smithers , Winners Spokesperson.

The survey also revealed the following:

Look Out Santa! Canadians Have 'The Gift' When It Comes to Gift-Giving (and They Know It!)
Ninety-three per cent of Canadians consider themselves to be average or better when it comes to gift giving. And deservedly so! Canadians receive an average of eight gifts during the holiday season and typically like six (or three-quarters) of them. Survey results also confirmed that Canadians give to an average of 10 people during the holidays. Very few Canadians reported a Bah! Humbug approach to holiday gifting with 84 per cent reporting they prefer to give gifts rather than receive them.

It's the Thought That Counts, Eh?
Seventy-eight per cent of Canadians believe that it's the thought behind the gift that matters most.  And in true Canadian fashion, when receiving that novelty Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer sweater or other undesirable gifts, 93 per cent of Canadians practice polite receiving and fake that they genuinely like it.

Hey Big Spender! Canadian Men Spend the Most on Significant Others
Men spend more than $100 more on average than women when buying gifts for their spouse or significant other and 23 per cent of men drop $500 or more compared to only seven per cent of women! On average, women spend $234 on their significant other while men spend $362. Interestingly, nearly half of those interviewed (48 per cent) also stated that their favourite gift last holiday was from their spouse or significant other. When it comes to gifts from the man in their life, women still report a preference for jewelry while many men would prefer a gift card or a watch. Not surprisingly, men are more likely to be down-to-the-wire shoppers with 12 per cent visiting stores on Christmas Eve.

Father Figures
When it comes to shopping for fathers, particularly father-in-laws, 56 per cent of Canadians reported finding them hardest to check off the holiday gift list. While fathers often posed a gift-giving dilemma, 87 per cent of Canadian gift givers revealed that they most enjoyed shopping for their children, followed by significant others (70 per cent) and mothers (47 per cent).

Hosts With the Most Appreciate Even a Small Gesture
Canadians feel even a small gesture goes a long way when it comes to gifts for the host, with 79 per cent of people reporting it's appropriate to spend less than $30 on a gift. Gourmet food items topped the list of best-received male and female host gifts.

Re-Gifting: Everybody's Doing It
Seventy-four per cent of Canadians feel there are situations where it's OK to re-gift and over half (56 per cent) of those surveyed admitted to having re-gifted. Canadians also suspect the re-gifting goes both ways with 69 per cent reporting they've suspected receiving a re-gift. Only nine per cent of those who have re-gifted reported being caught in the act. All that is not to say this thrifty tradition comes from a bad place: the most commonly reported reason people re-gift is that the thought that someone else would appreciate it more.

The Cat is Out of the Bag on Secret Santas
Seventy-one per cent of Canadians reported that they have participated in a "secret santa" type gift exchange in the past, but that the giving and receiving experience generally wasn't a satisfying one. 75 per cent stated they had received a gift that wasn't their style or something they could use and 48 per cent said that they suspected their secret santa had re-gifted! On the giving side of the present exchange, the predominant challenge was finding a unique gift for the amount of money allotted and as a result, many revealed they had overspent in order to impress!

Ho! Ho! Faux Pas!
Fifty-five per cent of Canadians consider the biggest holiday faux pas not being prepared to reciprocate a gift. Keeping a few extra gifts on hand is the safest way to dodge awkward holiday gifting moments, should there be an unexpected delivery by a friend or neighbour. Other reported gifting nightmares included bringing 'the gift nobody wants' in a secret santa (11 per cent), giving a thoughtful gift that misses the mark (12 per cent), and spending less on someone than they spent on you (six per cent).

About Winners
Winners, Canada's leading off-price retailer, offers brand name and designer fashions at up to 60% less than department and specialty stores prices, everyday. The chain is Canada's largest off-price retailer with over 220 stores across the country selling high quality merchandise for the entire family. Winners is a division of the TJX Companies, Inc. For store hours and locations, call 1-877-WINN-877 or visit winners.ca.  Find Winners on Twitter and Facebook or visit our Winners Online Media Showroom (password fall2012).

*Methodological Notes 
The WINNERS Gifting Survey was a National survey, conducted in November 2012, targeting women and men 25-54 years old who have shopped for clothing, shoes or accessories in the past six months.  The research was conducted by IMI International using a National Survey Panel, with the results being accurate at a 95% confidence interval.

SOURCE Winners

Image with caption: "Sterling Silver Bow Necklace $34.99 compare at $50 (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21412.jpg

Image with caption: "Wool Cardigan with Leather Details $89.99 compare at $160 (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21414.jpg

Image with caption: "Ice Cream Play Set (13 pc.) $24.99 compare at $35 (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21416.jpg

Image with caption: " Wool Handmade Dog Sweater $24.99 compare at $40 (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21410.jpg

Image with caption: "Boxed Scented Candle $14.99 compare at $30 (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21408.jpg

Image with caption: "Gourmet Cooking Oils $6.99 - $8.99 compare at $10 - $12 /ea. (CNW Group/Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121203_C5158_PHOTO_EN_21418.jpg