15.06.2011A survey commissioned by Nordea earlier this spring reveals that Finns spend almost EUR 2 billion a year on gifts. Wedding presents account for about EUR 145 million of this amount.
Parents spend on average EUR 510 on a wedding gift to their own child and EUR 280 on a wedding gift to their grandchild.
- Other relatives, close friends and acquaintances spend considerably less on gifts. When buying a wedding gift, Finns typically spend EUR 90 if the gift is to other relatives, EUR 70 if it is to close friends and EUR 50 if it is to acquaintances, says Anu Numminen, Nordea's Private Economist.
Wedding couples receive giftware
When the occasion is a confirmation or a graduation, people prefer to give money as a gift, but in wedding celebrations a good old gift package is still considered to be more appropriate. Nowadays people usually do not get married until they are in their thirties and the couple may already have lived under the same roof for many years.
- To avoid a situation where there are two fryers or dinner plates from three different series on the gift table, it is a good idea for the wedding couple to draw up a gift list and let the guests choose their gifts from that list – the gifts will then certainly be to the bride and groom's taste. A gift list should contain gifts in different price categories, so that each guest could find something that suits their wallet, says Anu Numminen.
- Recently, I participated in a wedding where the young couple also wished to receive hand-knitted mittens and woollen socks, which was a lovely idea. One alternative is to encourage the guests to participate in a gift pool, says Anu Numminen.
Gifts are important in social interaction
The importance of gifts as a social phenomenon is evident: almost one in five Finns would buy on credit if they otherwise could not afford to buy a gift to a celebration. And equally many would decline the invitation altogether! Common sense should not, however, be forgotten when buying gifts. It is the thought that counts. The sentimental value of the gift and giving something personal is often more important than the monetary value. You can also save money by giving a do-it-yourself gift.
- Most people would probably prefer that their friend accepts the invitation even if they cannot bring an expensive gift. After all, it's the guests that make a party, Anu Numminen says.
A survey for Nordea on gift-buying habits in Finland was carried out using a web panel in January. The panel forms a representative sample of the Finnish population. The interviews conducted were weighted on age, gender and region. In Finland 1,029 interviews were conducted in the age group 18+. The survey commissioned by Nordea was conducted by Synovate.
For further information:
Anu Numminen, Private Economist, tel +358 9 165 88218
Anni Kuusisto, Press Officer, tel +358 9 165 42653
