​International aid charity Sciaf is challenging the public to public to buy ethical gifts and help out some of the world's poorest this Christmas

A staggering 83% of Scots believe that Christmas has become too materialistic, with over half of us saying we would be happy if a friend or family member donated money to help someone in need rather than buy us a present.

Almost a quarter of those surveyed by international aid charity Sciaf said they received too many gifts last Christmas.

This year, the charity is calling on people to buy from its Christmas Real Gifts appeal which offers ethical gifts to help some of the poorest people in the world.

From the 1,002 people surveyed Scotland-wide, the majority said they expected to spend between £101 to £500 on presents, with the average spend being £276.

In the run up to Christmas we should remember thousands of families around the world are living on a knife edge

A small fraction of this, Sciaf says, could make a huge difference to families who are affected by war, hunger and poverty worldwide.

Lifesaving emergency gifts such as a shelter for a homeless family affected by war or natural disaster only costs £32, as little as £14 can provide a gift of chickens to give a family a nutritious supply of eggs and £26 can help send a child to school, helping them to build a brighter future.

Every penny spent on Sciaf’s Real Gifts goes directly to projects providing much needed help to the many thousands of people the charity is working with in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

A spokesperson for teh charity said: “We all know that in wealthy countries like Scotland Christmas has become too materialistic.

“As we approach the festive season, it’s encouraging to learn that so many people feel they receive too many gifts and would be happy for the money to be used to help someone in need in a poor country rather than receive a Christmas present.

“In the run up to Christmas we should remember thousands of families around the world are living on a knife edge as a result of poverty, hunger, war and natural disasters. They really need our help.

“By buying a Real Gift this Christmas you can make a real difference to the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

“You can help them to regain hope for the future by providing them with the things they need to work their way out of poverty.”