If you're finding yourself short on ideas for the perfect present for your partner this year you're not alone.
The typical Kiwi Christmas shopper finds their partner the hardest to buy for, a recent survey by Trade Me has revealed.
Over 600 people were surveyed, with the majority also saying they got their shopping done early and bought up to half of their gifts online.
Perhaps surprisingly, despite agonising over gifts for their nearest and dearest half of respondents said they would be perfectly happy to receive a gift voucher in lieu of a specially selected pressie.
Trade Me's Jeff Hunkin said the research uncovered ``a treasure trove of insight'' into the mentality of Kiwi shoppers in the lead-up to Christmas.
People's responses confirmed some of the company's assumptions about present-buying behaviour and changed others.
``Almost half of us beat the jostling mall crowds and get our shopping done early, while
34% admitted to leaving things to the last minute,'' Mr Hunkin said.
``Something that wasn't so surprising is that one in two people agree that gift-buying is a stressful experience.''
Partners were named as the most difficult people to buy a gift for, with 31% saying they found it tricky.
Children and parents followed, at 20% and 14% respectively.
``Extended family, siblings and friends on the other hand are much easier to buy for - we suspect less effort is required to select novelty underwear or a desktop Foosball set for those further down the gift hierarchy.''
Hatchimals, one of the year's biggest toy crazes , were popular online purchases this year and 62% of people overall purchased up to half their gifts online.
``We've seen searches for Hatchimals skyrocket on Trade Me in the lead-up to Christmas,'' Mr Hunkin said.
The survey also asked shoppers which Christmas gifts had lived up to expectations and what had been wide of the mark.
Mr Hunkin said jewellery, clothing, electronic items, handmade gifts from children and family
members coming home for the holidays were all cited as Christmas highlights.
``On the other hand, gifts that inspired awkward silence on Christmas morning included a self-help book, a horrendous Christmas cake which ended up being buried by the family dog, and a G-string from Nana.
``No doubt we'll see some unusual items like these listed on Trade Me on Boxing Day.''
By the numbers:
- 77% of people think buying online is convenient
- 58% of people think buying in-store is time-consuming
- 80% of people get a buzz out of finding ``the perfect gift''
- 41% of people receive between four-six Christmas gifts, 16% receive seven or more.
