A significant number of people in the UK were left disappointed on Christmas morning 2024, with research revealing that used sleepwear and spoiled food were among the most lamentable presents received.
The Most Disappointing Presents Unveiled
Consumer champion Which? commissioned a survey in January 2025 that asked people to detail the worst Christmas gift they had ever received. The responses painted a vivid picture of festive faux pas. Among the most cited items were used pyjamas and rotten fruit, including a coconut and a pineapple.
The research, conducted by Deltapoll, gathered responses from more than 2,000 adults across the United Kingdom. It highlighted some particularly thoughtless presents, such as a book about Tottenham Hotspur given to a dedicated Chelsea supporter, and the gift of a helicopter ride for a person who suffers from vertigo and a fear of flying.
What Happens to Unwanted Gifts?
The survey found that a substantial 21 per cent of people received an unwanted or unsuitable gift during Christmas 2024. When faced with these disappointing presents, recipients took a variety of actions.
Approximately one third (34 per cent) said they had disposed of the gift. Many chose to regift the item to a friend or family member, donate it to a charity shop, or sell it via an online marketplace. A mere one per cent of brave souls gave the present back to the person who gifted it, while two per cent admitted to simply throwing it away.
On a more pragmatic note, a third of respondents stated they had kept the gift and would use it regardless. However, 15 per cent confessed to keeping the present while having no intention of ever using it.
Navigating Retailer Returns Policies
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, offered advice for those hoping to avoid future gift-giving disasters. "It’s hard to think of a more disappointing present than used pyjamas or rotten fruit," she said, "but our research shows that a fifth of us have been left wondering what to do with an unwanted gift."
She emphasised that it's always worth providing a gift receipt, so the recipient has the option to return or exchange the item if necessary. Many retailers extend their returns policies over the festive period, but rules can vary.
Which? clarified that proof of purchase is usually required for a return. Some stores will not refund money to a credit or debit card unless the original cardholder is present. However, if an item was marked as a gift at the time of purchase, the recipient may be able to exchange it for a gift card, voucher, or credit note under the retailer's policy.
For online orders, the buyer is often the only person who can initiate a refund or exchange. Yet, if the order was designated as a gift, the returns policy may permit the recipient to handle the return themselves.
