Unwanted Christmas gifts: how to give a gift that matters!
Every Christmas, we get at least one gift we don't want or need.
Even though we plan and shop for weeks, it's impossible to get perfect gifts all the time. There's always one person that's tricky to buy for, but we get something anyway just for the sake of it.
It doesn't feel great to give a gift that isn't special - and it's no fun to receive one either. So why do we keep buying unwanted gifts, year in, year out?
Around 3 in 5 Brits say they get an unwanted gift every Christmas. And the reaction is likely exactly the same in households across the country - smiling, grateful, pretending it's just what we wanted.
Unwanted gifts are then confined to the darkest corners of our homes and perhaps even regifted to someone else the following year.
You can donate unwanted gifts - in fact, charity shops often see an influx in donations just after Christmas, both in older items which have been upgraded over the festive season and in newer things that go unwanted.
Worst of all - and the most likely - is that unwanted Christmas gifts are thrown away.
It won't come as a surprise to discover that an enormous amount of money is spent on Christmas gifts that go unwanted each year.
In fact, estimations showed that in 2024 an enormous £1.2 billion was spent on unwanted gifts in the UK alone.
Only £40 could pay for meals and snacks for a child for a week. With the amount of money spent on unwanted gifts last year, 30 million weeks' worth of food could have been purchased for vulnerable children instead.
- Clothes: Fashion is so personal, and it can be easy to buy items that aren't someone's style. Err on the side of caution when it comes to clothing for loved ones this year.
- Deodorant gift sets: They litter supermarket shelves each year and are fine stocking fillers - but they can create a lot of waste if they go unused.
- Soap gift set: As with deodorant, these can seem like good additions to any gift selection but mainly go unneeded.
- Bath salts/bath bombs: We're seeing a running theme, here. Perhaps personal grooming is as specific as style?
- Novelty socks: We've all been there - and maybe some of us love them! But for many, they take up valuable drawer space and rarely go near their toes.
You could make donations on behalf of your loved ones instead.
Our Secret Santa charity appeal offers you the option of purchasing a virtual charity gift and adding a personal message to send to your loved ones.
Here are our top 5 most wanted virtual Christmas gifts:
1. Christmas present
This thoughtful gift is popular amongst our supporters, and was recently featured on This Morning's Secret Santa gift guide. Give a virtual Christmas present and you could provide a child with a magical Christmas.
2. Warm winter clothes and bedding
A donation of £65 could provide a child who needs it with warm winter clothes and bedding. Why risk choosing a novelty jumper that will go straight into a drawer somewhere, when you could support vulnerable children across the UK instead?
3. Books and toys
Just £10 could go toward the purchase of books and toys that could help a child learn. Not only is this virtual gift educational but enjoyable too.
4. Teddy bear
For a smaller Secret Santa gift, choose our virtual teddy bear for a child at just £5. Your donation could provide a vulnerable child who needs it with comfort throughout the holidays.
5. Meals and snacks
Instead of forking out for a load of festive chocolates you're not even sure your loved ones like, consider donating £40 which could provide a child with meals and snacks for a week instead - crucial for Christmas break, when children may not be eating much.
Make a difference at Christmas.
Choose a charity gift