For many people, spending money on glitter and gifts is an enjoyable part ofChristmas. According to one survey, last year the average Canadian shopper spent $884 on gifts during the Christmas season. This year I see it’s around $800. How much money do you spend onChristmas gifts?
I love the Poll Questions that CTV News in Ottawa does on their 6 p.m. newscast. They ask viewers all kinds of questions pertaining to events or how people feelabout something.
On December 7 they asked: How much money do you spend on Christmas gifts? Less than $200
Between $200-$500
$500-$1,000?
More than $1,000
26% or 781 people said less than $200
29% or 886 people said between $200 and $500
26% or 760 people said between $500 and $1,000
20% or 609 people said they spend more than $1,000
It was surprising that of the 3,036 people who voted, 609 said they spend over athousand dollars. Is it because they are holding off buying something thefamily needs and give that at Christmas? When I was a kid we got things we needed like mitts, socks, a shirt andmaybe a toboggan if we were lucky.
On the question asked a few days earlier: Have you started Christmas shopping?
74% or 652 people said yes. 26% or 226 people said no.
Last week the Poll Question was: Do you remember your Christmas gifts from last year? 35% said No.
A study a few years ago said billions of dollars are spent each year in North America purchasing Christmas gifts that are unwanted and unappreciated by theirrecipients.
The study says almost 40 pe cent of the unwanted gifts collect dust in closets, and almost 30 percent are resold over the Internet. A quarter of respondents couldn’t recall what anyone bought them for Christmas last year, and a full half couldn’t recall what they received from their own spouses.
Christmashas become an industry — a huge one for the manufacturers and retailers. Sadly, we are missing the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of the Birth of Jesus.
People all seem to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to Christmas. But on Christmas Day, everyone wants an old-fashioned Christmas with a littlesnow on the ground, a tree, gifts, family, turkey and the works, music andpeace. Ah, it’s wonderful. Nostalgia! I’m dreaming of a white Christmas; just like the ones I used to know…
Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
