As the nation starts planning for Christmas, new research reveals the most misguided gifts you could ever give a loved one, according to those who have received them.
The research from Argos found that three in four Brits (73 percent) have been given an unfortunate gift for Christmas, with out-of-date vouchers (28 percent), dead plants (28 percent) and out-of-date chocolates (25 percent) emerging as the most disappointing presents to have received on Christmas morning.
A fifth (22 percent) have excitedly opened a gift only to discover that it is a pack of loo roll (22 percent), while 21 percent have been given a wig and a box of weedkiller (21 percent).
Ill-fitting clothes (20 percent), a mop and bucket (19 percent), a 12-month dating subscription (18 percent) and a packet of risotto rice also merged among some of the shockers Brits have opened, as well as a shoe polish (17 percent), cleaning products (16 percent) and an ironing board (15 percent).
Regifted presents also appear in the top 40 with one in five (21 percent) being given a gift that they gave the giver the year before, and 20 percent receiving something that the giver clearly got free from work.
Brits get an average of two unwanted presents every Christmas, with one in twenty (three percent) of those surveyed admitting they have NEVER received a gift they have truly loved, despite 80 percent dropping hints to friends and loved ones about what they want.
To avoid disappointed faces on Christmas morning the nation drops an average of 13 hints in the run up to the big day, with a brave four in ten (41 percent) telling those around them straight out what they want. How they do it by dropping it into casual conversation (35 percent), writing a list (24 percent) and leaving hints around the house (11 percent).
One in ten (nine percent) enlist the help from friends and family to tell the person what they want.
This year Argos is coming to the nation’s rescue. The leading UK retailer has teamed up with straight talking reality star Pete Wicks to launch a very special Argos Christmas Gift Hint messaging service to help ensure gift-givers are hitting the mark.
Between 27th November and 8th December, worried Brits are invited to apply for the chance to receive a personal Christmas Gift Hint from Pete. Head to ArgosChristmasGiftHint and if you are 18 or over you can enter in the details of your desired Christmas gift, and the name of the person you hope to receive this gift from. If chosen, Pete will record a festive hint in the form of a short video that can then be shared across your social media channels, ensuring that they get the hint.
Pete Wicks explains; “We’ve all been there, opening a present Christmas morning and instantly thinking who you can regift it to. I’ve never bought Sam something new, he always gets the stuff that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. But enough is enough. I’m teaming up with Argos to dish out some Christmas Gift Hints, so no one has to fake a thank you again, as there will be no gifting duds on my watch."
Matt Leeser, Argos Trading Director says “Christmas is the most magical time, but it can be tinged by one misguided gift. At Argos, we have over 40,000 products available, with something for every taste, interest, and budget. We also offer many ways to shop, including Fast Track same day delivery and Click & Collect in over 1000 Argos locations offering our customers convenience whenever they shop with us. We’re passionate about offering shoppers the best range of products for their gifting needs this Christmas and we’re excited to be partnering with Pete Wicks to help drop those gifting hints to friends and family in the hope that they can find something they love under the Christmas tree!”
81 percent would instead tell family and friends what to buy instead of receiving surprise gifts because they feel it is a waste of their loved one’s money if they don’t like it (49 percent), they hate faking being happy (25 percent), they don’t need surprise stuff (22 percent) and they have too much stuff already (21 percent).
A quarter (26 per cent) tell the person who gave it to them immediately if they don't like a present, while 19 per cent have argued with a friend or family member.
Colleagues (20 percent) are the worst present givers, along with aunties (11 percent), mums (10 percent), and partners (10 percent).
For all those last-minute shoppers, remember that small item products can be delivered via Argos Fast Track same delivery on Christmas Eve if ordered before 1pm, subject to availability. Click & Collect from any Argos store or Collection Point will be available until close on Christmas Eve.
FORTY WORST CHRISTMAS GIFTS BRITS HAVE RECEIVED:
- An expired voucher – 28%
- A dead plant – 28%
- Out of date chocolates – 25%
- Toilet roll – 22%
- Something I gave them the year before – 21%
- A wig – 21%
- Weedkiller – 21%
- Something they clearly got free from work – 20%
- Ill-fitting clothes – 20%
- A mop and bucket – 19%
- Hair removal cream – 19%
- A 12-month dating subscription – 18%
- Vacuum cleaner bags – 18%
- A packet of risotto rice – 18%
- A can of WD40 – 18%
- A regifted bath set – 17%
- Shoe polish – 17%
- Cleaning products – 16%
- The same present they gave you last year – 16%
- A gift card for a shop you never go in – 16%
- A book you already read – 15%
- An ironing board – 15%
- Light bulbs – 15%
- Perfume or aftershave that you don’t like – 14%
- A pack of razors – 13%
- Deodorant – 13%
- A hammer – 13%
- A screwdriver – 12%
- Potpourri – 12%
- A novelty hat – 12%
- A car air freshener – 12%
- Odd smelling candle – 12%
- Festive socks – 12%
- A novelty jumper – 12%
- Socks – 12%
- An iron – 11%
- A self-help book – 9%
- A frying pan – 9%
- A set of pencils – 9%
- A statement mug – 9%
ARGOS BEST SELLING CHRISTMAS GIFTS 2023 TO DATE
- Gaming from PlayStation, Nintendo and Meta continues to be popular with Argos customers this festive season. We’ve seen particular interest in the Nintendo Switch and the Meta Quest 2 VR Headset this year
- Sets from LEGO and some of Argos’s top pet toys, including virtual ‘hologram’ pet Bitzee and Little Live Pets, will surprise children and big kids across the UK on Christmas day
- The hype around air fryers doesn’t seem to be slowing down – last week Argos saw a 51% increase on air fryers year on year, led by the Ninja range
- Headphones continue to be a top gift choice with Beats and Apple Airpods among Argos’s best sellers
ENDS
Research of 1,000 single Brits was commissioned by Argos and was conducted by Perspectus Global in November 2023.
To apply for your Argos Christmas Gift Hint, go to https://bit.ly/argoschristmasgifthint you have from 00.01 27th November 2023 to 17.00 8th December 2023.
One hint per person, and you must be 18 and over to apply. For T&Cs please click here
About Argos:
Established in 1973, Argos is a leading UK general merchandise retailer offering approximately 40,000 products through its website, apps, stores, and convenient Click & Collect points inside Sainsbury's supermarkets. Argos is a technology-led retailer, with its website and app receiving more than a billion combined visits annually, and up to 80% of sales originating online. Argos' market-leading Fast Track delivery service is available across more than 90% of UK postcodes, seven days a week, with home delivery in as little as four hours until 10pm.
Argos is part of Sainsbury's, a company focused on great value food and convenient shopping, both in-store and online. Sainsbury's brands include Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar, and Sainsbury's Bank. J Sainsbury
Argos offers customers many ways to shop, including Fast Track same day delivery service, allowing shoppers to get their products on the same day when making an order before 5pm, available 7 days a week. There are also over 1000 Argos locations offering Click & Collect, including over 400 inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Flexible payment is also offered through Argos Card and the Argos Monthly Pay Plan, enabling shoppers to spread the cost of purchases.