Once considered thoughtless gifts, vouchers have made a comeback and are topping the list of presents in Australia under the Christmas tree.

A recent survey by the group representing a number of leading retailers including Coles (supermarket), David Jones and Harvey
Norman (department stores), showed gift cards were the number one Christmas purchase this year.

“The number one present is in fact gift cards and vouchers,” the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) chief
executive Margy Osmond told ABC Television on Thursday.

“They used to be considered terribly unromantic but are now considered a great gift because people can go and get exactly what
they want from the post-Christmas sales.”

Vouchers were followed by electronics and toys, which many people put on lay-by during the June-July sales, she said.

“People are spending but they’re very cautious about what they’ re spending and they want to make sure that they’re getting
maximum bang for their buck,” she said.