The holiday season is around the proverbial corner and many shoppers are already in pursuit of year-end gifts out of concern that prices will be higher come mid-December. However, more than a few people are not looking forward to receiving gifts that they will not appreciate.
In a new survey of 2,000 adults conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the book publishing company Wonderbly, 75% of respondents acknowledged receiving up to seven presents each year which they’ll never use. While more than half of the respondents (57%) specifically do not want clothing of any kind selected by someone else, the 10 least favorite gifts they receive are:
• Bad romance novels
• Diet plans
• Car manuals
• Soap on a string
• Children’s toys
• Cufflinks
• A tie
• Handkerchiefs
• Aftershave
• Movies they’ve already seen
When it comes to receiving an unwanted present, 27% of respondents said they will graciously accept it while 17% pretend to be delighted. But one-tenth said they show no emotion and simply “do nothing” and 21% have been in fights with a loved one over a terrible present.
But not wanting the well-intended gesture to go to waste, 26% of respondents said they donate their disappointing gifts to charity while 14% adopt an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mantra by hiding them in the house and 18% have rewrapped and regifted the unwelcome offering to someone else. Incredibly, 22% of the regifters somehow wound up being given their own gift.
