19 Dec 2013
A poll of British consumers has revealed that 53 per cent would prefer to receive cold hard cash this Christmas, with less than four per cent happy to unwrap toiletries on Christmas day.
According to the survey by Azimo, the online international money transfer service, on average UK consumers will give £97 in cash as Christmas presents this year, representing just under a third of their total gift spend of £307.
Cash claims the top Christmas gift spot with both sexes but is welcomed more warmly by men, with over 60 per cent preferring to receive and give money, compared to just 47 per cent of women.
Stuck for something to get the younger members of the family? A massive 74 per cent of 18-24 year olds are hoping for cash under the Christmas tree this year, but don't expect the same in return. Under 24s will spend a miserly £56 on gifts for friends and family over the festive season.
While cash is popular with all ages, the over 55s are the most generous when it comes to giving cash as Christmas presents, treating others to an average of £124.
Only 13 per cent of respondents would want to receive gift vouchers from Santa, dropping to just eight percent of under 24 year olds.
Money features highest on Christmas lists in Wales and Northern Ireland this Yuletide, but they are also amongst the most generous, topping the list of big spenders.
Scotland and Northern Ireland give the biggest gifts in cash - at just over £113 it's more than the average Londoner who in third place parts with £108. Northern Ireland is the most generous overall, with the average Christmas shopper spending a whopping £450 on gifts for friends and family. Wales and the North East come in next spending an average of £350 on festive presents.
The survey conducted by One Poll on behalf of Azimo also revealed that almost a quarter of consumers have sent money by post, either by cash or cheque, only for it to go missing. In London this jumps to more than a third of respondents.
"These findings certainly show that cash is king this Christmas, whether you're male, female, in your teens or recently retired. With December 25th fast approaching, I'm sure people will be relieved to know that we all genuinely prefer the freedom and flexibility that the gift of money allows. " said Michael Kent, Founder of Azimo.
"It's easy to give cash if your nearest and dearest are just down the road, but if you're only going to see them on Skype because they're thousands of miles away at Christmas, then using an online money transfer service really is a convenient and reliable way to make sure everyone gets the best presents ever," continued Kent.
"Azimo makes sending money to friends and family overseas easier and cheaper, meaning restrictive vouchers, unwanted novelty socks and excessive post and packaging fees can be relegated to Christmas Past," concluded Kent.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The One Poll survey questioned 1,000 UK consumers in December 2013.
For further press information, please contact:
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
About Azimo
Azimo is start-up which is changing the way people transfer money. Honest, transparent and social, it's the cheapest and easiest way to send money to 195 countries across the world, from your smartphone, tablet or desktop and even through Facebook.
Azimo is challenging the big boys of the money transfer market; with rates up to 85 per cent cheaper and a hard-working team who believe in providing the best customer service, Azimo has created a better way to send money between countries.
Committed to ethical trading, by lowering the cost of transferring cash overseas Azimo is having an impact on some of the poorest parts of the world. In addition, the online transfer service has committed to donating ten per cent of its profits to charities which work to support the poorest in society.
Founded by Michael Kent in 2012, Azimo is regulated by the FCA and registered with HM Revenue and Customs. The company is backed by $1.3m in funding.
For more information or to transfer money, go to www.azimo.com
@azimomoney
