Poll also reveals that people want to cut back on their Christmas expenditures this year
Recent Ipsos research done on behalf of CanadaHelps.org suggests that over half of Canadians (47%) would prefer to receive a charity contribution from their family, friends, neighbours, and coworkers this year rather than a more traditional present.
One-quarter (24%) would rather a charitable donation made in their name to a charity selected by the gift giver with a concrete impact, such as feeding a community member in need, or sending a child to school.
This is a popular choice among Albertans, with 30% preferring to receive this sort of gift.
Comparably, 23% would like a charity gift card, where the charity they selected would be the beneficiary of the remainder of the gift card. Twenty-nine per cent of Albertans prefer this style of present.
Over half of Canadians (53%), meanwhile, would rather receive a conventional gift with no philanthropic impact, such as a sweater, movie passes, candles, technology, a book, and chocolate.
Traditional gifts are most preferred by Atlantic Canadians, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (58%), British Columbia (56%), Ontario (54%), Quebec (51%), and Alberta (40%).
Given inflationary and financial concerns, Canadians plan to cut back on Christmas spending this year, according to the survey.
One-third (35%) expect to spend less on holiday gifts this year, while 7% expect to spend more. One-third (31%) will spend roughly the same amount, while 19% have not yet decided. One-tenth (9%) do not buy holiday gifts.
Plans to cut back on spending were more common among respondents with children compared to those without (46% vs. 31%). Holiday purse-tightening expectations were also higher among women respondents (40%) compared to men (31%).
A recent survey from Equifax Canada also found Canadian households are cutting back on Christmas gifts.
In Equifax’s survey, 60% of respondents said they’re spending less due to inflationary pressures.
Another 41% of people said they’re putting a lid on spending because they’re too heavily in debt, up from 36% last year.
