More kids aged 6 to 13 are receiving money as Christmas gifts instead of boxed presents. Market research firm Roy Morgan, in a report released on Tuesday, said 66 per cent of young Aussies get cash as Christmas present, up from 62 per cent in 2007.

Those who got $100 or a higher amount was up to 38 per cent from 28 per cent in 2007. The average cash gift was $85, an almost 20 per cent increase from the 2007 average of $71.

Almost half of them saved the money in their bank accounts, while the rest used it to buy entertainment items, toys, console games, books, magazines and CDs.

"Christmas is always a good time for giving and it seems likely that young Australians will be receiving a lot more money as gifts this year. The Understanding Young Australians Report shows that we are seeing an increasing trend in both the number of young Australians receiving money as a Christmas gift as well as they amount they receive," Roy Morgan Research Industry Director for Agencies John La Rosa said in a statement.

A previous research showed that tech toys remain the most popular gift for Aussie kids for people who opt to give Christmas presents instead of cash for the Yuletide holiday.

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