Re-giftmas: Aussies passed on $1.3 billion worth of presents from last Christmas

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Taylor Blackburn
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Australians are wasting a staggering amount on presents that miss the mark, according to new research by Finder.

 

A Finder survey of 1,011 respondents revealed 1 in 5 (21%) have re-gifted presents they received last December to the tune of $1.3 billion.

 

That's roughly 4.5 million people passing on something they didn't want or need.

 

On average, each person regifted around $297 worth of presents – so nearly a third of what many spend over the holidays ends up unwanted.

 

This comes as 2 in 5 (42%) Australians – nearly 9 million people – admit they have unwrapped a truly terrible Christmas gift, ranging from oddities like avocado holders and voodoo dolls to a novelty toilet seat featuring Santa's face.

 

Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, re-gifting has become routine.

 

"What was once considered a social faux pas has now become commonplace.

 

"No one wants to think the present they spent time choosing ended up under someone else's tree. It takes some of the heart out of the holiday."

 

Pike said some feel obligated to give gifts.

 

"Some people aren't giving from the heart – they're just trying to tick the box.

 

"It's a reflection of how tight things have become. Australians are so stretched that even generosity has to be budgeted."

 

Pike said the best gifts aren't about the price tag.

 

"A thoughtful $10 present can mean more than something expensive that misses the mark.

 

"Before you buy, think about what the person would actually use or enjoy – it's not about spending more, it's about spending smarter," Pike said.

Did you regift any presents that you received last Christmas?

Yes, multiple presents12%
Yes just one9%
No79%
Source: Finder survey of 1,011 respondents, October 2025Finder logo

Have you ever gotten a terrible Christmas gift?

Yes42%
No58%
Source: Finder survey of 1,011 respondents, October 2025Finder logo

 

Sources

Methodology

  • Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
  • Figures in this release are based on 1,011 respondents from October 2025.
  • The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
  • The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.

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