Christmas is about giving! But choosing the best gift or the perfect gift experience for your loved ones is not an easy task. To avoid the mistake of ending up with a bad gift, we have gathered for you the Top 10 Worst Christmas Gifts According to Global Survey.
Based on the data published by Global Data, one out of nine UK shoppers were expected to return their Christmas gifts. That’s 4 million Brits who were so unhappy with their gifts, they’d rather go through the hassle of returning them than keep them.
So what are these gifts that everyone is so unhappy about? Scroll to know more!
Why Are We Getting It Wrong?
First, let’s understand why are we ending up with a bad gift. Do we not know our loved ones well enough to give them a gift they actually want to keep?
Santa Claus has it easy when it comes to buying Christmas gifts – he’s got the list! But what happens if you don’t even have a list to work with?
People may be getting gift-giving wrong because, according to a survey, a significant percentage of individuals don’t make lists of presents they would like to receive for Christmas. This lack of specific preferences might contribute to the challenge of selecting gifts that recipients truly want.
In a survey published by YouGov, 65% of British adults admitted they don’t make a list of presents to ask for at Christmas. 19% said they do, but they don’t mind if people buy them something that’s not on their list. Only 3% said they mind if people go off their list.
Despite the majority of Brits not making a list of presents they would like to receive for Christmas, households continue to increase their spending substantially over the holiday period, indicating a potential gap between spending habits and effective gift choices.
According to the Bank of England, the typical household in the UK spends over £2000 every month. In December, this number increased by 25%, with family members spending an additional £500 during the Christmas period.
The majority of Christmas shoppers (42%) in 2017 reported planning to buy presents for five to ten people. Almost one quarter said they would be buying presents for less than five people, while 7% said they would be buying gifts for more than 20 people.
Top 10 Most Returned Christmas Gifts
Here are the 10 Christmas gifts that are mostly returned based on global survey:
- Pyjamas
- Jumpers/ cardigans
- Tops
- Jewelry
- Underwear
- Bags/ purses
- Dresses
- Food
- Footwear
- Scarves/hats/gloves
Source: Global Data
What Do People Buy Instead?
The purchasing of music & DVDs saw a massive influx in December, with over a 110% increase in spending at Christmas. The second-highest increase is in books, which saw an 85% growth, followed by computers with a 68% increase in spending. Spending on toiletries rises by 56% over the festive season, while clothing expenditure sees a 43% jump.
Studies have shown that experiences make for better gifts than material items. Research published online in the Journal of Consumer Research found that experiential gifts like a spa day or a theatre experience are more effective than material gifts at improving relationships from the recipient’s perspective.
The study argues that an experiential gift elicits a strong emotional response, which inherently fosters a closer relationship between the gift giver and recipient.
Conclusion
Did you know that a study found that 80% of us feel happier when we gift? Don’t make the mistake of ending up with a bad gift this Christmas!
For those seeking classic gift ideas, our recommendation is to start with Amazon first for a wealth of inspiration and price comparisons. Or why not try a gift experience they will remember for a lifetime?
Here’s to a Christmas filled with memorable moments, meaningful gifts, and smiles all around. Happy gifting!
I am an experienced writer specializing in travel, food, weddings, and well-being. Continuing my nomadic lifestyle I am currently based on the beautiful island of Malta.