The pressure to find the perfect gift may cause some Canadians to call in sick this holiday season, according to new research that reveals two-in-10 Canadians have skipped work – or considered it – in order to complete their holiday shopping. Others (13 per cent) are simply distracted by holiday shopping at their job, placing further pressure on their work/life balance.

According to the eBay Canada-sponsored survey, on average, shoppers are on the hunt for 14 perfect presents to give to nine different people this holiday season. The survey, conducted to promote eBay’s 24-7 accessibility, interviewed 1079 adults in late September about holiday shopping behaviour.

While Canadians are planning to do more of their holiday shopping online this year, many are still stuck in an old-fashioned shopping mall mindset. According to the research, the overwhelming majority of Canadians buying gifts are still shopping during regular store hours, with only nine per cent taking advantage of 24-7 online service by shopping late at night, and even fewer (five per cent) shopping on-the-go with their mobile phone.

“For many, offline holiday shopping isn’t retail therapy, it’s retail agony,” said Kimberly Moffit, a psychotherapist and eBay Canada’s holiday counsellor. “Holiday shoppers are likely juggling work, family life, social engagements and holiday activities, and they’re constantly feeling like they’re running around and running out of time. As a result, they’ve put themselves in a stressful situation – some are even calling in sick with what we call the ‘holiday shopping flu,’ – while others admit that holiday shopping distracts them from their job.”

“However, Canadians shouldn’t give up on finding the perfect gift. Instead, busy shoppers should look for ways to integrate their shopping into their daily routine. It’s about picking the right place and the right time. Rather than dashing to the mall at lunch time, shopping from the comfort of your desk is a viable option – and certainly more productive and less stressful. The same goes for shopping by mobile phone on your commute home or in the evening – online shoppers are able to tackle their wish list without all of the unnecessary offline stress,” says Moffit.

The survey also uncovered some additional interesting information about Canadians buying holiday presents:

• Thirteen per cent would consider doing their holiday shopping online at work.
• Twenty-one per cent have at least considered calling in sick to go holiday shopping.
• Six per cent have actually called in sick to do their holiday shopping.
• Holiday shopping distracts 20 per cent of Canadians from spending time with friends and family. Spending time exercising and participating in social activities also suffers during the holiday shopping season.
• More Canadians are going online to do their holiday shopping, with nearly three in ten increasing their shopping online this year.