Survey finds traditions still very much part of a Kiwi Xmas

MEDIA RELEASE
17 December 2010

Survey finds traditions still very much part of a Kiwi Christmas

One in three New Zealand households will be leaving milk and cookies out for Santa this year – if he is lucky enough, he may even score himself a beer, according to the Great Kiwi Christmas survey conducted by Colmar Brunton.

The survey also found that one in five Kiwis say they ‘want to believe in Santa’, but the actual fact is that most of us stopped believing in Santa between the ages of six to 10 years old.

Colmar Brunton’s Managing Director, Jacqueline Ireland, says: “it’s wonderful to see that, despite the fast paced life many New Zealanders now lead, the magic of Christmas and the traditions we all remember from our childhood are still alive and well.”

But for Christmas giving this year, you can forget beautiful hand-made gifts and thoughtful presents, what Kiwis really want is cash.

Ms Ireland says that “considering the economic climate, it isn’t surprising that Kiwis are asking for cash or vouchers for Christmas”.

Forty-four per cent of those interviewed said that they would prefer cash for Christmas, while only 12 per cent of people said they would like to receive gifts that are home made.

And despite seeing Christmas trees for sale on many street corners, only 22 per cent of us will be buying a real tree. Fifty-four per cent are ‘faking it’ this Christmas, and 24 per cent of Kiwis will not be sitting around a tree at all this year.

“The changes in people’s attitudes towards Christmas become very apparent in this survey with a large percentage of the population making the decision not to buy a Christmas tree this year, but still enjoying the childhood Christmas tradition of Santa Claus,” said Jacqueline.

The study was conducted in November interviewing over 500 people and has a maximum margin of error of + or – 4.3%.

ENDS

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