A growing number of Aussies have gotten a taste for bargain hunting at second-hand shops and sites. A new report has valued the Australian market for such goods at $40 billion – $10 billion more than in 2015. And people are realising they can make a lot of cash selling on unwanted possessions.

In the UK, the gift card and voucher industry is estimated to be worth £5.6 billion a year, and in 2015, sales of gift cards in the US hit $130 billion. But with mobile tech transforming the way we browse and shop, how is the traditional model adapting? And how will people give in the future?

'Tis the season to be merry – if you're flush with cash, that is. With no budget in mind, and credit cards at the ready, Aussies are expected to be splashing out during the Christmas period. But while it might get people feeling festive, heavy debt and interest is set to follow in the new year.

No longer filled with an orange and some candy, Christmas stockings have become an appetiser to the main unwrapping event, boasting premium items like designer socks, gift cards and collectibles. With greater importance now placed on these smaller gifts, how can brands maximise their impact?