Lm20m to be spent on Christmas presents

Well over two million gifts, worth more than Lm20 million, are expected to be exchanged this Christmas, according to a survey by the National Statistics Office.

To be more precise, the survey found that Maltese residents aged 16 years and over intend to give a total of 2.3 million gifts, costing an average Lm9 each, for a total of Lm20.3 million, or an average of Lm65.5 per purchaser.

The survey also found that

¤ Education level, gender, economic status, job security, standard of living and perceptions of the economy affect the amount of presents intended to be given.

¤ Clothes and footwear, toys and soft-toys, cakes and sweets, wines and spirits, cash donations, books, jewellery and interior decorations are the most popular presents that would be given.

¤ Only a quarter of persons aged 16 years and over would leave some of their Christmas shopping until the festive season is over.

¤ A total of 18,210 persons, or 5.9 per cent of the target population, would take a holiday during the festive season.

¤ Of those who plan to take a holiday during the Christmas period, 74.7 per cent would stay in Malta.

¤ Of the target population, 7,660 persons, or 2.5 per cent, took a holiday last Christmas and intend to take another holiday during the festive season.

¤ SMSs would be sent out instead of Christmas cards by 34.2 per cent and 16.3 per cent would send e-mails or e-cards instead of Christmas cards.