For many of us, choosing the perfect Christmas present for our loved ones is an exciting part of the festive period. Yet, despite our best efforts, not every gift will be a favourite, and some are bound to fall just a little short of expectations.
Discovering unpredictable moments, Capital One UK surveyed 2,000 Brits to uncover unexpected surprises at Christmas time as part of its newly launched ‘No Nasty Surprises’ campaign, which brings to life that when it comes to credit, you should always know what you’re getting upfront.
The research has uncovered some of the most unusual and disappointing gifts Brits have received over the years, and what they would do with an unwanted gift.
Key Findings:
- Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) of Brits received a present that was unexpected last year
- Brits have revealed their weirdest-ever gifts: from bin bags to loo roll dispensers and pickled herring
- Nearly a third (32%) of Brits admit they would regift a present they didn’t want, whilst 16% would sell on an unwanted gift
Merch for a rival football team, expired body lotion and chicken nuggets make list of Brit’s WEIRDEST Christmas gifts
According to the survey, nearly a quarter of Brits (24%) admit to receiving a Christmas present they didn’t expect.
16% of people admitted that a recipient’s negative reaction to a gift they gave dampened their Christmas Day experience.
From expired body lotion to a used egg cup, the nation shared some of the weirdest surprises that have ended up in Christmas presents.
Brits reveal their weirdest Christmas gifts
- A bin bag holder
- A bottle of water
- A paper towel
- Used egg cup
- Loo roll dispenser
- Chicken Nuggets
- Pickled herring
- Toilet paper
- Singing fish
- Two left feet slippers
- Expired body lotion
- Merch for a rival football team
32% of Brits would regift a Christmas present they didn’t expect
The survey revealed that 41% of Brits choose to donate them to charity, while nearly a third (32%) opt to regift, passing the presents on to someone they believe will appreciate them more.
Another 22% prefer to simply give away their least desirable gifts, and 16% see an opportunity to earn some extra cash by selling them online. Interestingly, 11% try to return their unwanted gifts, aiming for a refund or exchange for something more suitable.
Brits reveal what they would do with an unwanted gift
- Give it to charity – 41%
- Keep it – 34%
- Regift it to someone else – 32%
- Give it away – 22%
- Put it away to never be used/seen – 18%
- Sell it online – 16%
- Try to return it – 11%
- Throw it away – 6%
- Give it back to the buyer – 3%
Katie King, Head of Marketing at Capital One UK, comments “As part of our ‘No Nasty Surprises’ campaign we’re uncovering the moments Brits least expect to face over the Christmas period – from a disappointing Christmas Dinner, to untidy house guests and unexpected gifts.
“Whilst we can’t promise a Christmas without any surprises, we can give certainty when applying for a Capital One credit card. Capital One UK is committed to helping our customers succeed with credit, empowering them to make good financial decisions by offering transparency upfront. Whether it’s being clear on the APR they’ll get before they apply, or providing an eligibility check for our credit cards in only 60 seconds with our Quickcheck service, these small, thoughtful actions are at the heart of how we do business.”
