A surprising number of Britons found less-than-joyful surprises under their Christmas trees last year, with a new survey highlighting a festive tradition of disappointing gifts. Research commissioned by the consumer champion Which? has revealed that more than one in five people received an unwanted or unsuitable present during Christmas 2024.
The Catalogue of Festive Fails
The study, conducted by Deltapoll in January 2025 and involving more than 2,000 UK adults, uncovered a bizarre array of presents that missed the mark. Among the most memorably poor gifts were used pyjamas and rotten fruit, including a specific mention of a rotten coconut and pineapple. The lack of thought extended to personal interests, with one Chelsea football fan receiving a book about rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while another person with vertigo and a fear of flying was gifted a helicopter ride.
What Happens to Unwanted Gifts?
Faced with an unsuitable present, Britons adopt various strategies. The survey found that a third (33%) of recipients decided to keep the gift and actually use it. However, 15% admitted to keeping an item they would never use. A significant 34% chose to dispose of the gift entirely, with routes including re-gifting to friends or family, donating to charity shops, or selling on online marketplaces.
Less common approaches were giving the gift back to the original giver (1%) or simply throwing it away (2%). The findings underscore a common post-Christmas dilemma for millions.
Navigating Returns and Exchanges
With many retailers extending their returns policies over the festive period, Which? offers crucial advice for those looking to exchange or refund an unwanted item. Consumer law expert Lisa Webb emphasised the importance of gift receipts, which give the recipient the option to return the present if needed.
"It’s hard to think of a more disappointing present than used pyjamas or rotten fruit but our research shows that a fifth of us have been left wondering what to do with an unwanted gift," Webb stated.
She also highlighted a key nuance for online purchases: often, only the original buyer can request a refund or exchange. However, if the item was marked as a gift at the time of ordering, the retailer's policy may allow the recipient to return or exchange it themselves. Proof of purchase is usually required, and while some stores may not refund to a card unless the original holder is present, they often permit an exchange for a gift card, voucher, or credit note.
The data serves as a timely reminder for future gift-givers to consider practicality and the recipient's tastes, and for recipients to be aware of their rights during the annual gift-return season.
