‘Twas the season for giving.
A little more than a month after Christmas, we have our first report on how consumers conducted themselves during the holiday season. Did they spend, spend, spend, or pull in their horns?
Well, here in Saskatchewan it was a time to be generous.
A poll conducted for RBC Royal Bank showed we were the biggest over-spenders in the country. Half of us said we over-spent at Christmas. That was the largest percentage in the country. And we over-spent by an average of $500. Again, no other province was higher.
Nationally, over-spending went down compared to last year, especially among 18 – 34 year-old women.
The big choice for giving this year was an experience. People spent about $130 on these for friends and family, which was followed by the always-thoughtful gift card. Electronics placed third on the list.
On the gift cards, we significantly exceeded the national numbers. This was our most popular choice for a gift. Experiences were second and we spent more than the rest of the country on this one too.
We also gave more to charities on behalf of a friend or family member than any other Canadian.
