Bay of Plenty residents are spending their holiday dollars wisely this Christmas according to the latest national Christmas poll figures.

Mora than half of Tauranga residents are approaching Christmas with a budget, according to the AMP Capital Shopping Centres annual poll.

Bayfair Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Nina Rivett says planning before you shop is a great way to keep to a budget.

'Having a plan before you shop is a great way to avoid impulse buying and to ensure you're left with enough cash to enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones.

'It also helps to prevent a complaint that one in five people identified as a source of stress – the post-Christmas bills.

'Gift cards, which are available from Bayfair Shopping Centre, are also a great way to assist with sticking to budgets.”

AMPCSC, which owns Bayfair Shopping Centre, asked 123 Tauranga residents a broad range of questions about their shopping plans this season with the survey uncovering a surprising new budget trend.

In 2011 the survey indicated 39 per cent of Tauranga residents said they were likely to overspend and 34 per cent said their bank manager would approve of their Christmas shopping list.

This year 46 per cent say money was their number one Christmas worry and only 11 per cent say their bank manager would approve of their Christmas list.

A little more than 40 per cent of those surveyed in Tauranga say they are feeling a ‘bit pinched' financially this year with 29 per cent planning to buy less expensive gifts than last year and 20 per cent are not buying gifts at all.

A quarter of interviewees say they intend to buy ‘fewer but better' presents this year.

The number four tip on the independent money guide Sorted's shopping tips for Christmas buyers is to use cash.

According to Sorted withdrawing a set amount of cash will help shoppers keep to a budget.

SunLive asked their readers if they use cash to purchase Christmas presents with only two people out of 23 saying they did.

A total of four people say they use both with one person saying they don't do Christmas shopping except for food.

One person says they don't buy presents except for food and four people say they use both.

To see AMP Capital Shopping Centre's online gift guide to help people plan before they shop visit

http://bayfair.co.nz/christmas/home.aspx.