Early Christmas shoppers

Okay, considering we are still getting the odd sunny spell and there’s still a stretch in the evening, it’s really difficult to get in the festive spirit, right?

Well, it turns out despite the fact that Christmas is another three months away and we still have Halloween to get through, some folk have all things festive shopping on the forefront of their minds already. Yep – I’m not kidding. 

Interestingly, husbands and wives are the most difficult to buy for, followed by mum, then kids, then dad, a recent survey from Mastercard shows.

According to the research 8% of those questioned said they found their mother-in-law the hardest person to buy for at Christmas.

Early shoppers

One in eight people (12%) in Ireland has already started Christmas shopping this month.

16% of people in Ireland will start their Christmas shopping in October, 46% in November and 24% in December.

The data found that three in five (60%) start shopping early to spread the cost of Christmas.

The survey showed that the average person will spend €755.67 on Christmas gifts this year.

‘Experiential’ gifts

The trend of shopping for experiences over materials is also sparking shoppers into festive mode even earlier in a bid to secure ‘experiential’ gifts including theatre tickets, cookery classes, yoga retreats and trips away.

“The increasing popularity of experiences as gifts over material goods means Christmas shopping is getting even earlier each year,” said Sonya Geelon, Ireland country manager, Mastercard.

“The way we shop has changed and even Christmas Day has become a shopping occasion as more and more people buy from their smartphones and tablets.”

Others gift experiences on the list include Michelin-starred dinners, wine tasting, stargazing, escape rooms, creative workshops and tickets to football and other sports.