According to a poll, many Canadians want to give and receive fewer gifts. The top gift categories Canadians spend money on are food and beverages, with Canadians spending $5.1 billion on items like Reese's cups. Other popular gift categories include televisions and audio equipment like wireless speakers, toys like L.O.L. Surprise! dolls, computers like Kindles, small appliances like SodaStream, and kitchen items like pressure cookers. The article provides alternative gift ideas that are meaningful but cheaper, like volunteering time, homemade gifts, or contributing to savings accounts.

1. What are People Buying?
The Most Popular Frugal, But Fun Gifts in Canada

2. How Do Canadians Feel About Gift Giving?
• According to a 2017 poll,
Canadians want to give and
receive fewer gifts this year.
• 72% of Canadians love giving
• 52% want to do less
• 24% say that most of the gifts
they receive are useless
• 31% feel like they have to give
gifts to too many people
• 24% say gift giving in their
families is out of control

3. The Top Gift
Categories
Food and Beverages
Canadians Spent: $5.1 billion
Most gifted: Reese’s cups

4. Here’s where Canadians are spending their
money.
TELEVISIONS, AUDIO
AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT
CANADIANS SPENT:
$459.9 MILLION
MOST GIFTED:
WIRELESS BLUETOOTH
SPEAKERS

5. Here’s where Canadians are spending their money.
Toys, Games, Hobby
Supplies
Canadians Spent:
$417.8 million
Most gifted: L.O.L.
Surprise! Dolls

6. Here’s
Where
Canadians
are
Spending
Their
Money
Computer Hardware
and Software
Canadians Spent: $274.9
million
Most gifted: Kindle

7. Here’s where
Canadians are
spending their
money.
• Small Electrical Appliances
• Canadians Spent: $263.4
million
• Most gifted: Soda Stream

8. Here’s where Canadians are
spending their money.
• Tableware and Kitchenware
• Canadians Spent: $238.5
million
• Most gifted: Pressure
cookers

9. Here’s Where
Canadians are
Spending
Their Money
Cosmetics and Fragrances
Canadians Spent: $154.8 million
Most gifted: Bath bombs

10. Here’s
Where
Canadians
are Spending
Their Money
• Sporting Goods
• Canadians Spent:
$171.6 million
• Most gifted:
Gaming chairs
• Stationery, Office
and Party Supplies
• Canadians Spent:
$98.7 million
• Most gifted: Sticker
photo paper

11. Here’s Where
Canadians are
Spending
Their Money
• Jewellery and
Watches
• Canadians Spent:
$118.0 million
• Most gifted: “I Love
You” projection
pendant
• Cameras, Equipment
and Supplies
• Canadians Spent:
$73.7 million
• Most gifted: Fujifilm
instant camera

12. Unique
Christmas
Gifts
• Hot sauce making
kit
• Batman cookie
cutters
• Darth Vader waffle
maker
• Portable sauna
• Wearable sleeping
bag

13. Alternative
Gift Ideas
• Do chores
• Cook
• Make a gift (knitting, jewellery, etc.)
• Volunteer with the recipient at their favourite
charity
• Give the gift of your time

14. Cheap Gift Ideas • Contribute to an
educational fund
or tax-free savings
account.
• Group gifts.
• Indoor plant.
• Buy a
membership.
Canadians spend a lot on the holiday season each year,
but is it necessary? This year, go with a meaningful gift
for a frugal but fun holiday!
Call us Toll Free: 1.800.463.8371
In Winnipeg: 1.204.925.6400
If your holiday gifts are adding to your debt stress,
call and talk to us about your situation.
Our initial consultation is free.