The Average American Gets 7 Gifts A Year They’ll Never Use
The holiday season is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about gifts. However, a recent survey reveals that not all gifts are created equal. In fact, the average person receives seven unwanted gifts a year. So, who are the culprits behind these less-than-stellar presents, and what are the worst gifts to receive?
The Gift Givers
According to the survey, the worst gift givers are typically friends, children, and coworkers. While they may have the best intentions, their gift choices often miss the mark. But fear not, because there are some interesting tactics employed by gift recipients to deal with these unwanted presents.
What to Do With Unwanted Gifts
When faced with a gift that doesn’t quite hit the mark, people get creative. According to the report by SWNS, approximately 26% of respondents say they choose to donate these gifts to charity. It’s a noble way to ensure that the gift still finds a purpose, even if it’s not with the original recipient.
Another interesting solution is re-wrapping the unwanted gift and giving it to someone else, as reported by 18% of respondents. It’s a way to recycle the item and potentially bring a smile to someone else’s face.
The Worst Gifts to Receive
Now, let’s talk about the gifts that made the list of the “worst gifts to receive.” Brace yourself; some of these might sound familiar:
- Bad romance novels: While literature is a great gift, not everyone appreciates a poorly written romance novel.
- A diet plan: A not-so-subtle way of telling someone they need to shed a few pounds.
- A car manual: Unless you’re a mechanic, receiving this as a gift may leave you scratching your head.
- Children’s toys: If you’re not a child or a parent, these can be puzzling gifts.
- Cufflinks and ties: Not everyone wears these accessories regularly.
- Movies you’ve already seen: It’s a bit disappointing to unwrap a DVD and realize you already own it. Plus in the day of streaming, many people don’t even own a DVD player anymore.
- Maps of the U.S.: In the age of GPS, paper maps might feel a bit outdated.
- Cleaning products: While practical, these aren’t the most exciting gifts. Also, are you trying to tell me that my house is dirty, Linda?
- Joke books: I’ve made this mistake before. Humor is subjective, and not everyone shares the same sense of humor.
- Miscellaneous items: The list includes items like a mousepad, an apron, a scarf, “chocolate coins,” calendars, anti-aging products, potpourri, crossword books, picture frames, perfume, a mug, and even “a bottle of booze.”
Listen, while it is true that the thought is what counts, a little extra consideration can go a long way in ensuring that our gifts are appreciated. After all, at the time of writing this, Christmas is less than 90 days away and no one wants to be responsible for contributing to those seven unwanted gifts a year.
