STRESS FREE CHRISTMAS – FABLE OR FEASIBLE?

While the number of shopping days ‘til Christmas dwindle and tension levels rise, it’s not too late to give loved ones what they want – the simple freedom of choice. The appeal of choosing their own gift is why more than 80% of Briton’s believe gift cards and gift vouchers are acceptable to give and receive.

So why suffer the stress this Christmas of searching for the ‘perfect present’ when two in five Briton’s (39%) would rather receive a gift card/voucher than a present chosen by someone else and while one in three (37%) think receiving one shows the giver really cares about what they want.

The statistics are the findings of recent YouGov research commissioned by The Voucher and Gift Card Association (The Va) that involved more than 2000 Britons and aimed to unlock peoples’ perceptions of gift cards/vouchers ahead of Christmas.

While giving a gift card/voucher can lessen stress and provide the ultimate solution to Christmas gift giving, here are some other handy solutions to common festive season problems…

Avoid a budget blow-out!
· Join together as a family, or with a group of friends, and give gift cards/vouchers for the same store to a loved one. It all adds up!
· From £5 upwards you can buy a gift card/voucher to a specified value to suit any budget.
· Teach children the value of money by helping them manage their own spending on presents with a gift card/voucher.

Buying for the hard to buy for
· Gift cards/vouchers are available for hundreds of stores and experiences so there’s something for everyone! Check out www.giftcardsandvouchers.com for inspiration.
· Most gift cards/vouchers are valid throughout the UK so make the ideal present for loved ones in other towns and are inexpensive to post. Some can even be bought online and sent direct to the recipient’s email inbox.
· Relax even after Christmas as you and your loved ones won’t need to exchange unwanted gifts!

Help! I’m running out of time!
· Spend 20 minutes planning your Christmas shopping – investing in this crucial planning will save time and money. Check out www.giftcardsandvouchers.com for inspiration.
· Create a Christmas Check List which outlines; who you’re buying for? how much you want to spend? potential gift ideas, and, where to go to look for the gift.
· Plan your shopping excursion and go to a location where a number of stores can be targeted in one outing. Ideally go at less popular times, such as when shops open, and avoid peak times such as weekends.
· Search online first for ‘best price’ and availability – researching can save time and money!
· Visit a ‘gift card mall’ – they’re a ‘one stop shop’ for gift cards and are springing up all over the UK including at Sainsbury’s and WH Smiths.


From vouchers for priceless experiences, through to store vouchers, travel gift cards and theatre vouchers– gift cards and vouchers are available from thousands of high street retail outlets throughout the UK. To give inspiration to Christmas gift givers and showcase the gift card and voucher range, The Va has recently launched www.giftcardsandvouchers.com.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

These statistics can be freely used with credit to The Voucher & Gift Card Association. Regional results are available on request.

About the Survey
If you want a copy of the complete survey results please email victoria@clareville.co.uk

All survey figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,157 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th September 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Sales figures are taken from Information Resource Inc (IRI), an independent statistical survey company, which compiles a quarterly report using UK sales figures from members of The Va.

About the Va
The Va was established as a trade body in 1996 to represent the key players in the £3.2bn gift vouchers, cards and stored value solutions market. It provides an information and reference point for both voucher & gift card suppliers and customers, and is at the forefront of the issues affecting the industry. Its main objective is to raise the profile and use of vouchers & gift cards within the UK, promoting the industry to consumers, businesses, government and other interested parties.

For further information please contact Victoria Coleman,
The VA,
Clareville Communications,
Tel 020 7736 4022, fax 020 7736 3504
e-mail: Victoria@clareville.co.uk