If you’re making a list and checking it twice this Christmas, you may want to ask your South Australian family and friends for suggestions. New research from Compare the Market has found South Australia is the regifting capital of Australia during the festive season.
A third of South Australians (33.76%) surveyed said they regift presents they don’t like or receive duplicates of over the festive period. It places the state well ahead of the national average of 27.68% and tops every other location in the country.
| Location | % of Aussies surveyed who said they regift presents they don’t like or receive duplicates of over the festive period |
| National | 27.68% |
| SA | 33.76% |
| NSW | 33.02% |
| WA | 26.31% |
| VIC | 24.36% |
| QLD | 21.91% |
Source: Compare the Market survey of 1,004 Australian adults, conducted October 2025. ACT, TAS and NT included in national percentage
Compare the Market’s Economic Director David Koch said it wasn’t the title South Australia wanted this Christmas.
“I’m a proud South Australian but I’m a little surprised that we’ve been crowned the regifting capital of Australia this Christmas,” Mr Koch said.
“While it’s all a bit light-hearted, these results do paint a picture that we’re not entirely out of the cost-of-living crisis just yet. Christmas can put a lot of financial strain on households that are already under pressure and we know that some people are passing along presents they really do like to others so no one misses out.
“I always say that if someone has thought about you this festive season, think about the sacrifices they may have made to ensure you still get a present under the tree. Regifting certainly is a taboo topic around this time of year, but it’s not always done with bad intentions. It’s better than throwing an unwanted present away or having it gather dust in your cupboard.”
But what exactly are people regifting? Respondents told Compare the Market they typically regifted items including:
- Books
- Beauty items (skincare, perfume, hand cream, bodywash, soaps, make-up)
- Candles
- Homewares
- Alcohol
- Clothing and accessories
- Chocolates
- Mugs
- Gift cards
Compare the Market’s research found that one in four Aussies surveyed (25.09%) said they don’t do anything with unwanted or duplicate gifts, while just 1.99% throw them out.
“If you ask me, that’s worse than regifting,” Mr Koch said. “Instead of being a mug, see if there’s a local charity that would benefit from the things you don’t want. Around 15% of people surveyed by Compare the Market said they donate their unwanted gifts to charities over Christmas and frankly, this number could be a lot higher.
“But before you go offloading all those candles or jocks and socks you don’t want, check if there are rules and guidelines around donations outlined by the charity. These organisations do wonderful things for our most vulnerable during what can be a tricky time of the year and they’re not a dumping ground for rubbish.”
Other Australians aim to turn their unwanted trash into treasure, with 11.75% opting for an exchange, 8.76% returning the item and 4.78% selling the Christmas presents they don’t want.
“At the end of the day, these results show us that a lot of people are offloading their presents in some way or another. So, if you’re feeling frazzled this Christmas season, it could be worth cutting back in 2025,” Mr Koch said.
“If you are buying presents, hold on to your shopping receipts in case someone does want an exchange. Consider asking your loved ones for lists or opt for Secret Santa or White Elephant so you’re not spreading your finances too thin.”
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
