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- Almost half re-gift unwanted christmas presents
- “A single sock”, “blow up boyfriends”, and a “potato with their name written on it” among some of the more quirky, unwanted gifts
- Women (46.8%) feel more pressured into spending more than they can afford than men (42.05%)
A new nationwide study1 of 2,000 adults, commissioned by blood cancer charity Leukaemia Care and approved by the Market Research Society, reveals that many Brits are rethinking the way they give gifts at Christmas – as half (49.25%) admit they regularly re-gift unwanted presents, and more than a third (37.1%) say they would rather donate to charity than buy a token gift.
The research, released to launch Leukaemia Care’s 2025 / 26 winter appeal “The Unseen Gift”, uncovers the scale of waste and pressure surrounding festive giving in the UK.
- Almost a quarter (23.7%) of people say they receive up to two gifts each Christmas that they don’t actually want
- Nearly one in four (24.65%) of us choose to donate unwanted presents to charity
- Over 60% (61.05%) admit to buying last-minute panic gifts just for the sake of having something to give
- Almost half (44.5%) feel pressured to spend more than they can afford at Christmas
- 12% say they have never liked a Secret Santa gift, while a quarter have only ever liked one or two
Despite the annual spending spree, silent generosity is rare, with 15.1% of people saying they never give to charity or help others without telling anyone.
The strangest gifts we never asked for
When asked about the strangest or most unwanted presents they’ve ever received, respondents revealed that things can go very wrong. Among the most common were single socks, toiletries, cheap novelty mugs, soap, stationery, and ill-fitting clothing – with many admitting they’d been handed something that had clearly been re-gifted or chosen in a last-minute panic.
But some answers took a much quirkier turn. People reported being given everything from a potato with their name written on it to a brick, a concrete rabbit, a Viking necklace, and even a sign for a cheese shop.
A surprising number mentioned risqué gadgets, including “a blow-up boyfriend,” and a “ladybird battery massager.” Others recalled gifts that were just plain bizarre, such as a cable wire, a home-made fort (as an adult), or a custom bobblehead of their boss.
Together, the stories paint a picture of well-meant generosity gone hilariously wrong, and underline how much money is wasted each year on presents no one really wants.
Millennials most caring demographic
When it comes to unseen acts of kindness, Millennials – 25 to 34 year olds – appear to be the most caring, with 44.34% saying they’ve helped a friend or a neighbour in need in the past year, and 16 to 24 year olds least likely to help out (31.42%).
And in total, 37.3% of respondents say they’ve helped a friend or a neighbour in need in the past year, with men just slightly more likely to than women (37.4% v 37.21%).
People in the north west are more likely than any other region (70.14%) to purchase a ‘panic’ or ‘last-minute’ present just to have something to give, while a fifth (20%) of respondents from Northern Ireland are the most likely to spend between £51 and £100 on gifts that end up unwanted or unused each year for Christmas.
The homeless, animal shelters, food banks, and charity shops are among those ‘other’ answers, when considering recipients of unseen acts of kindness in the past 12 months.
The Unseen Gift
Leukaemia Care’s “The Unseen Gift” campaign encourages people to give differently this winter, by donating in someone’s name to support those affected by blood cancer, instead of buying an unwanted or unnecessary present.
Colin Dyer, chief executive of Leukaemia Care, said: “Every year, millions of pounds are spent on gifts that end up forgotten, re-gifted or in the bin. The Unseen Gift is about turning that waste into something truly meaningful, a gift that could help save a life, support patients and advise families how best to navigate what can be a difficult time together.
“We know people want to show they care, but this research shows many of us are tired of the pressure and the excess. By giving an unseen gift, you’re still giving – but in a way that makes a lasting difference.
“We all want Christmas to feel special, but sometimes the most powerful gifts are the ones you can’t wrap. Supporting someone through a diagnosis, funding a helpline call, or helping us reach another family in need – those are gifts that truly matter.”
The charity hopes the campaign will inspire people to rethink how they give, and remind them that even small, thoughtful acts can make a tangible impact.
To leave your own unseen gift this year, you can do so by visiting here.