Ahead of the Christmas period, new research has revealed the most disappointing presents that have left Brits feeling insulted.
Out-of-date chocolates (29 percent) and toilet plungers (28 percent) top the list of the most embarrassing and downright weird Christmas gifts of all time, along with weed killer (26 percent) and even a wig (24 percent).
The ‘Bad Gifts Haul of Fame’ research, commissioned by Wish, one of the world’s largest mobile ecommerce platforms, also revealed a tin of baked beans (24 percent), mop and bucket (23 percent), spot cream (22 percent) and hoover bags (22 percent) among some of the worst gifts Brits have been handed.
In fact, 44 percent have been completely lost for words after opening a present because they hated it so much, with over a fifth (21 percent) ending up having a row with the person who gave them the gift.
The study also revealed that 37 percent of the nation has at least one family member who always gives them the worst presents, while a quarter (23 percent) said their in-laws are the biggest offenders.
And 18 percent confess they can’t stand the gifts that their other half buys for them every year.
But it needn’t be all doom and gloom. Brits wanting to get their gifting right next time need look no further than online retailer, Wish, which is known for its vast range of affordable products, from the weird and wacky to the everyday essentials.
Commenting on the research, Tarun Jain, Chief Product Officer & Chief Customer Officer of Wish, said: “It’s quite astounding what people will gift their loved ones. There is clearly a large disconnect between what people want from their loved ones to what they actually receive. At Wish, we pride ourselves on being able to offer something for everyone – the range is enormous so you’d be hard pushed not to find something friends and family will be genuinely happy to receive.”
Typically, after unwrapping a present, 73 percent will manage to force a smile and a polite “thank you”, while over a third of the 2,000 Brits polled (34 percent) said that after years of receiving presents they hate, they can now pretend to like unwanted gifts. But 24 percent will simply end up regifting it to somebody else.
And while 14 percent will secretly try to get a refund or swap it for something else, almost one in ten Brits (eight percent) go completely quiet as they’re so disappointed or offended by what they’ve been gifted.
Three in ten (29 percent) even confess they’ve had a dramatic moment when unwrapping a present they dislike, either by storming off, sulking or even turning on the waterworks by bursting into tears.
Figures also show that each festive season, on average we’ll receive at least three unwanted gifts, with one in two Britons (47 percent) admitting they’d rather not get anything at all than have to unwrap something they hate on Christmas Day.
THE WORST CHRISTMAS GIFTS BRITS HAVE EVER RECEIVED
- Out of date chocolates 29%
- A half dead plant 29%
- A toilet plunger 28%
- Weight loss pills 26%
- Weed killer 26%
- A wig 24%
- A can of baked beans 24%
- A mop and bucket 23%
- Spot cream 22%
- Hair removal cream 22%
- Hoover bags 22%
- Shoe polish 20%
- A jar of pickles 20%
- Horrible smelling perfume or aftershave 20%
- An item of clothing you’ve seen the person wear 19%
- An ironing board cover 18%
