Press Release

1.2 MILLION MEN ARE EXPECTED TO DO THEIR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

23rd December 2005

Despite being bombarded with tinsel, flashing lights and mail slots full of Christmas catalogues since the start of November, 1,2 million men* are expected to be doing their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.

Research from National Savings and Investments (NS&I) shows that men are six times as likely to leave their shopping until Christmas Eve, with just 1% of women admitting to the same eleventh-hour madness.  And some of these last minute lads may have their work cut out for them as nearly one quarter of all men (24%) say they normally buy gifts for more than 15 people.

Nearly two fifths (38%) of men will shell out between £21 and £50 on each person they buy for.  Just under half (48%) say they normally spend more on Christmas presents than they budgeted for, and one quarter (25%) confess that they mainly tend to pay for their presents with a credit card. 

The last minute rush will come as a welcome reprise for many retailers who have reported delays in pre-Christmas sales on previous years**.

John Prout, sales director at NS&I comments: "Christmas tends to be a pricey time of year for most, and people can get especially carried away trying to find the perfect gift at the last minute.

"However by planning ahead and sticking to a reasonable budget you can avoid dipping into savings or overloading your credit card, leaving no cause to stress about your financial fitness come the New Year".