Women are said to be the fairer sex, but when it comes to Christmas presents they spend an average of 50 percent less on their partner than he spends on them.
A British survey has found that women were planning to spend a maximum of $175 on their husband or boyfriend, while men were anticipating spending at least $230 on the woman in their lives.
The men surveyed said they expected their partner to splash out the same amount, but repeatedly received gifts of a much lower value, typically around $150.
Fortunately, 41 percent of couples said they didn't care how much their other half spent on their gift as long as it was thoughtful.
"Married couples of course have certain expectations when it comes to receiving presents from each other," Caroline Weaver — spokeswoman of Me to You, which commissioned the research — told the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.
"But at the end of the day, it is great to see that as the old saying goes it really is the thought that counts when it comes to gift buying."
A thoughtless gift, however, spells disaster for many couples, with 22 percent saying they weren't speaking last Christmas because they were given an inappropriate gift.
Four in 10 people would like a present that shows their partner knows them inside out, while 36 per cent want proof that their partner cares.
"It's great to know that the majority of people aren't wishing for something big or expensive this Christmas," Weaver said.
"The results prove people want their present to show their partner cares about them, know them inside out and have not ignored their needs.
"Whatever you buy your partner for Christmas, the most important thing is that it lets them know how much you love them."
Your say: Do you think thoughtful gifts are better than expensive ones?
Video: Gifts for men
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