Survey reveals UK's top & least-favoured Christmas gifts

CEWE has released a report identifying the UK's best and worst gift-givers and the nation's top and least-favoured Christmas presents.

A survey conducted by CEWE involving 2,000 UK adults highlighted that 73% of participants have experienced disappointment due to receiving unsatisfactory gifts at Christmas. Items such as novelty gifts (26%), unwanted duplicates (22%), socks (20%), and even ugly Christmas jumpers (11%) were noted as undesirable. Additionally, some individuals reported receiving unusual items like single pieces of fruit and household mops.

Conversely, the survey found that certain gifts continue to be appreciated. Clothes topped the list of cherished gifts at 31%, followed by perfume and jewellery, both at 24%. Personalised gifts, such as photo books and calendars, also featured prominently, with 40% of respondents expressing a preference for them and 20% admitting they haven't received one but wish to.

The study revealed a distinct family trend in gifting practices where mothers are regarded as the best at selecting presents, unlike fathers who were rated the lowest. "Mums reign as the best gift-givers, while dads take the crown as the worst," the survey notes.

The time invested in shopping for gifts varies, with partners receiving the most attention at 42%. This is followed by time spent selecting gifts for parents at 25% and siblings at 10%. The reasons behind gift dissatisfaction include gifts that don't match personal interests (36%), those deemed unusable (23%), and re-gifted items (18%). Responses to unwanted gifts can vary, with 36% showing genuine gratitude, 33% pretending to enjoy the gift, and 17% setting it aside for later.

Petra Felgen, Managing Director of CEWE UK, commented on the significance of thoughtful gifts, stating, "With 75% of people valuing sentimental gifts, it's clear that meaningful presents resonate the most and truly show how much you care." She mentioned that CEWE's personalised gifts, such as the CEWE Photobook, are able to capture cherished memories.

The research was executed by Research Without Barriers, following the Market Research Society's guidelines, with a sample of UK adults between 17th and 21st October 2024.

The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). All surveys were conducted between 17th October 2024 and 21st October 2024, and the sample comprised 2,006 UK adults.

CEWE is Europe's photo printing company, known for its passion for photography and commitment to delivering excellent print quality. CEWE is dedicated to helping people share their memories by producing millions of personalised photo products each year, the company states.