Out of date Baileys liqueur, potato peelers and a mop and bucket are among the worst Christmas gifts consumers have received, as new Which? research reveals younger generations were the most likely to give away Christmas gifts.
The consumer champion surveyed more than 2,000 members of the public in February 2020 on what they did with unwanted Christmas presents they received last year.
Around one in five (19%) admitted they had given away or sold one or more gifts they had received last Christmas.
10 of the worst Christmas gifts respondents reported in Which?’s most recent survey:
- Carpet cleaner
- Ironing board sleeve
- Used potato peelers
- Out of date Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
- Plastic bucket, mop & pink rubber gloves
- Mr & Mrs cushion covers from an ex-boyfriend
- Bejewelled bath cap
- A second-hand bra
- A pencil stand
- Emoji poo bath plug
Those from younger generations were most likely to give away presents. Which? found three in ten (28%) of those aged between 18 and 34 years old gave away or sold at least one present they received last year, compared to nearly one in five (17%) aged between 45 and 54 years, and one in 10 (12%) aged 55 years and over.
Women were also found to be more likely than men to give away or sell their presents – a quarter (24%) of women decided to find a new home for their disappointing presents last year compared to one in seven (15%) men.
Adam French, Which? Consumer Rights Expert, said: “Whether it is out of date booze or kitchen utensils, many of us have been left wondering how to get rid of an unwanted Christmas gift – and our research shows a fifth of people choose to give their presents away.
“We’d always advise requesting a gift receipt so the recipient has the option to exchange the present if they are disappointed.
“Often only the buyer can request a refund or exchange. But if the item was marked as a gift when ordered, the retailer’s returns policy may enable a recipient to return or exchange it.”
Which? advice on what to do with unwanted gifts is available here.
