We look forward to Christmas and like to agree on presents beforehand

• People out of 10 look forward to Christmas and most of us celebrate some of Christmas traditions 
• A computer, money in cash or a book would make us most happy 
• T-Mobile customers wish to get a mobile phone and sexy underwear more often than other respondents

Prague, 15 December 2008 - The first phase of a new T-Mobile Insight Out survey carried out by TNS AISA investigated people's opinions on Christmas. The questions were focused on Christmas traditions and on presents people buy or wish to get. Other two phases investigated the form of Christmas wishes and the role of mobile phones and mobile operators' offers.    

(Almost) all of us look forward to Christmas and celebrate Christmas traditions
Only one person out of ten does not look forward to Christmas. Although one third of respondents said that they do not like the Christmas madness at shops, 57% people like their Christmas offer. 

A vast majority of respondents (97 %) celebrate some of the Christmas traditions - around five of them on the average. The most extended tradition is decorating of the Christmas tree (94 %); advent wreaths ranked the second - 70 % people reported to have one. Many people also respect the rule according to which only the lady of the house may get up from the table during Christmas dinner. The least frequent tradition is the pouring of lead practiced only by 1% of traditionalists.

Christmas gifts - practical or crazy
It is not possible to imagine Christmas without gifts. Most of us (61%) buy Christmas gifts several weeks beforehand but 20% get them in the last minute right before the Christmas Day. However, there are 19% people who have their gifts ready several months before Christmas. 

Czechs do not like unpleasant surprises. That is why most of them (62%) agree with their families on what they will buy to each other. Despite of this, people mostly state that they are "rather satisfied" with the Christmas gifts they get, which indicates that there is still certain space for improvement.

Every fifth respondent (22%) admitted that they are influenced by advertising when choosing Christmas gifts. This applies mainly to young people aged between 16 and 25.

The most frequent gifts are cosmetics, clothes, books and cash. Compared to other respondents, T-Mobile customers get more mobile phones, O2 customers more underwear and Vodafone customers often get books or high-quality alcohol.

The gifts we would most like to find under the Christmas tree are a PC or a notebook, mobile phone or an original handmade present. Czech people are pragmatic as the most desired gift, computer (29%), is followed by money in cash (23%). Compared to other people, T-Mobile customers more often state mobile phones and sexy underwear among favourite presents, while Vodafone customers like to get books and clothes.    

Among the craziest/most interesting gifts received by the respondents were for example a laboratory rat, a hammer drill or a daughter wrapped in Christmas paper.

Mobile phone as a Christmas gift? Of course!
Almost every second respondent wishes to get a mobile phone. This applies mainly to T-Mobile customers and younger people (69%). One half of respondents have sometimes given a mobile phone as a Christmas gift.

Thirty-seven per cent people watch Christmas advertising campaigns of mobile operators, most of them are young people aged between 16 and 25 (47%). And 62 % respondents say that they like Christmas ads. Mobile phone users prefer the advertisements of "their" operator. 

The most preferred Christmas offers presented by mobile operators are long-term promo events with calls and SMS at favourable prices, as stated by   60% respondents.  A mobile handset at a favourable price ranked the second (15%) and a short-term bonus provided in the form of free minutes (12 %).

TO BE CONTINUED

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.