Most Brits have same confession about unwanted Christmas gifts

28 December 2023 , 14:36

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Nearly half of Brits admit they never get around to decluttering their homes (Image: Olio)

Christmas is a prime time of year for household clutter to build up, as two-thirds of Brits (67%) admit they stash away unwanted gifts – and 26% of those who do so then simply forget about these items forever.

Some of the most likely presents to end up out of sight and out of mind in a cupboard during the festive season include mugs, candles, and toiletry sets – with 49% saying they would feel guilty giving these gifted items away.

But as the year goes on, almost half of Brits (43%) still don't get around to decluttering their homes – despite believing that over a fifth (21%) of their unused belongings would be of more value to someone else.

Some of the top items that they don't use, that they reckon others would love, include barely-worn clothes and shoes, as well as books, DVDs or Blu-Rays, and board games or puzzles.

Meanwhile, the survey of 2,000 adults found that 21% are still hanging on to old smartphones or tablets which are perfectly functional.

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A third of those (32%) who put off having a clear-out admit they simply forget they have these items stored away, while 56% feel they may still get round to using them some day. However, 45% are simply clinging onto their unused possessions for sentimental reasons.

But some of the top unused items they reckon others would love include barely-worn clothes or shoes (Olio)

And at Christmas time specifically, while 42% insist they may eventually change their mind about an unwanted gift, the same number say the festive period gets them in a more charitable mood compared to the rest of the year, according to the research, carried out by local sharing app, Olio.

As such, 45% of all those polled, via OnePoll, have found themselves having a clear-out in the time between Christmas and New Year.

The study also found seven in 10 adults have given away unwanted items in their local community – with 79% feeling happier to hand something over for nothing, if it meant it was benefitting someone locally.

Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, said: “This research really highlights that Christmas is a time when so many of us have more things than we know what to do with, whilst others are struggling to get by.

“It's unbelievable that two-thirds of presents don't see the light of day, and I really hope Brits harness their New Year's resolutions this year to have a good clear-out, and make a neighbour's day – without even having to leave their home.

“By doing so, you’d not only be helping someone out, but also the environment, due to increasing the lifespan and reuse of items, rather than throwing them away – reducing the need for others to buy new.”

TOP 20 BARELY-USED ITEMS PEOPLE HAVE STORED AWAY, THAT THEY THINK OTHERS WOULD LOVE:

1. Unused or barely-worn clothes/shoes
2. Unused books or textbooks
3. Unused DVDs or Blu-Rays
4. Board games or puzzles
5. Unused or old smartphones/tablets
6. Extra or old computer peripherals (e.g. monitors, keyboards, etc.)
7. Home décor items
8. Unused kitchen gadgets (e.g. spiralizer, mandoline slicer, etc.)
9. Vinyl records
10. Collectible items (e.g. comic books, action figures, etc.)
11. Unused luggage or travel gear
12. Unused gardening tools
13. Exercise equipment (e.g. treadmill, weights, etc.)
14. Unused or lightly used cookware sets
15. Musical instruments (e.g. guitar, keyboard, etc.)
16. Camping gear (e.g. tent, sleeping bag, etc.)
17. Unused power tools
18. Sewing or knitting supplies
19. Sewing machine
20. Unused art supplies (e.g. paints, canvases, etc.)

Andrew Young