Practical & useful gifts, top Welsh Christmas shopping lists this Black Friday

Practical & useful gifts, top Welsh Christmas shopping lists this Black Friday

Children’s charity Compassion UK research reveals Welsh shoppers buy presents for an average of 7 people, with shoppers finding their partner the hardest person to buy for.

As people eye up Black Friday bargains this week, over half of shoppers in Wales (57%) are focused on buying Christmas gifts that people will find useful or have specifically asked for this year, according to new research released today. Gifts that are funny, sentimental or expensive come bottom of the list when shopping for Christmas, whilst just 6% of people in Wales say that finding a bargain is the driving force behind selecting the perfect gift.

The research into the UK’s Christmas shopping habits was commissioned by Christian child development charity Compassion UK which has launched its ‘Make My Christmas’ Appeal to help give gifts to almost two million children living in poverty around the world this Christmas.

As we enter one of the biggest festive shopping weeks, researchers who polled 2,000 UK adults found that despite Welsh shoppers having an average of seven people to buy gifts for, two in five (39%) people find Christmas shopping stressful or worrying.

The research also revealed that three in ten (30%) Welsh shoppers think their partner is the hardest person to buy a gift for, a higher proportion than in any other part of the UK.

Amy Carter, COO of Compassion UK commented:

“This week millions of people will be hitting shops and online stores to tick people off their Christmas shopping lists. Here at Compassion we handpick a gift for every child living in poverty around the world that is in our programme. Whether it’s a pair of shoes that is desperately needed, or a child’s first toy, the Compassion team purchase each gift locally. Despite almost two million children to buy gifts for, our team find Christmas shopping exciting and joyful, and of course the look on each child’s face when they receive their gift is priceless.”

Compassion’s aim is to see children around the world lifted out of poverty. By working in partnership with local churches in developing countries, Compassion will link a child in critical need with a caring sponsor. For a donation of £25 a month a child is supported by their local Compassion project where they will receive nutritious meals, emotional and spiritual support, medical attention and the chance to get a good quality education.

Mum of two Kaz Gratton from Prestatyn in Wales explained why her family has donated to Compassion’s Christmas Appeal this year:

“I can remember hearing the words of the original Band Aid song ‘Do they know it’s Christmas time at all’, I used to love the twinkly bits in it and I guess that stuck with me, and the idea of a child having no Christmas present stuck too. I’ve supported Compassion for 16 years and personally have always sponsored girls partly because I dreamt of having a little girlie. I can make a massive difference in a little girl’s life in Rwanda – My little girlie Dianne will get a present from me and a Christmas card she will celebrate in a totally different way than me because turkey and tinsel aren’t a big thing in Rwanda either.”

In addition to buying gifts for the 1.82 million children who have sponsors around the world, Compassion is planning to bless the 160,959 children waiting to be sponsored with Christmas presents too.

Seven year old Prisca from Togo in West Africa, who has been waiting almost four years to be sponsored, told the Compassion team:

“I would be so happy to receive a Christmas gift, it would be my joy.” Prisca’s Christmas wish is for a backpack that she could take to the project. Prisca and her friends are looking forward to the Compassion project Christmas party as they sing, dance, eat and play games.”

A donation of £10 can ensure that a child still awaiting sponsorship receives a Christmas gift this year. For more information on how you can help visit www.compassionuk.org/christmasgift