British Columbians are planning to spend nearly $100 more on presents this Chistmas season than they did last year, according to an RBC survey released this morning.
The survey found British Columbians are anticipating gift expenditures of $674 on average, compared with $539 in 2010.
The survey also found British Columbians are planning to up their non-gift Christmas spending on items such as decorations, clothing, food and drink and travel and entertainment – spending an average of $542 this year compared with $502 in 2010.
A survey released this morning by BMO Bank of Montreal revealed slightly different holiday spending predictions for B.C. That survey predicts British Columbians will spend:
- $573.40 on gift purchases;
- $423.30 on trips;
- $303.60 on entertaining; and
- $197.50 on other expenditures.
Like the RBC survey, BMO noted an upward trend in Canadians’ spending for 2011 over 2010. BMO is predicting that Canadians predicted will spend $1,397 this holiday season, up from $1,305 in 2010.
Jenny Wagler
@JennyWagler_BIV