Aussies Embrace Spirit of Christmas
17 December 2007 at 1:56 pm
Australians may be planning to shop ’til they drop this Christmas but they haven’t forgotten the spirit of giving with more than two in every three intending to make donations to charity, according to a survey by the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA).
And according to the ANRA this generosity was across the board, with adults in all age and income groups showing their support for charitable activities.
The most popular ways to make a contribution were:
– Make a cash donation
– Donate gifts, food or other supplies
– Support initiatives by retailers (eg charity wishing tree, charity gift wrapping service)
– Buy tickets in a fundraising lottery
Other respondents indicated they would participate in volunteer work or make donations to charity in lieu of Christmas.
The ANRA Christmas Survey 2007 is an independent survey of 1000 Australians on their Christmas plans.
Respondents were asked if they intended buying a present for themselves this year, and less than 20 per cent said they would.
And despite Generation Y being dubbed the ‘Me Generation’, 18-24 year olds were less likely than other age groups to indulge in a little something for themselves.
Many shoppers are also ‘going green’ this Christmas, the survey shows.
Some 52 per cent of respondents indicated concerns about the environment would have some influence on their gift selection. One in four said they would choose gifts with less packaging, 20 per cent said they would purchase ‘consumables’ such as gift vouchers or move tickets, 16 per cent opted for gifts with recycled elements or other green credentials and 13 per cent said they would aim for fewer gifts.
Women were more likely to consider the environment.
ANRA commissioned an independent online poll of 1000 Australians aged 18 and over.
This Christmas, will you be making a contribution to charity?
Yes, I will make a cash donation 16.6%
Yes, I will donate gifts, food or other supplies direct to charity 15.8%
Yes, I will support initiatives offered by retailers, eg charity wishing tree,
charity gift wrapping service 15.4%
Yes, I will participate in volunteer work for a charity 3.6%
Yes, I will make donations to charity in lieu of Christmas gifts 3.1%
Yes, I will buy tickets in a fund raising lottery 10.6%
Yes, I will make some other contribution to charity 9.2%
No, I will not be making a contribution to charity this Christmas 25.7%
