From mouthwash to chocolate body paint, some terrible, terrible crimes have been committed in the name of Christmas presents. Happily, you can avoid gift gaffes with the 5pm Christmas Gifts page.
Revelling in their status as the most loved and the most hated of breakfast spreads, Marmite have commissioned research into the worst ever Christmas gifts.
It makes chilling reading.
Last year, one poor soul was given a tax disc holder. Another unwrapped breast firming cream (from their gran!) and one unlucky individual was given a bag of cat litter.
Other unwanted gifts include a pair of marigolds, anti-cellulite cream and underwear which was given to an employee by their boss.
Say ‘No’ to slimming pants
Slimming pants, botox, a ‘naughty’ calendar, a push-up bra, a mop and bucket, second hand clothes and mouthwash also featured on the ghastly gift list.
According to the 1,500 respondents, one average we are given three gifts which we hate every Christmas.
One in four respondents said they can’t remember the last time someone gave them a present they actually loved.
Mums and colleagues were named and shamed as the most likely to give a poor present.
After being on the receiving end of a bad gift, 24% of people surveyed said it gave them something to laugh about.
Not all of us are so sanguine. A whopping third of people have fallen out with their other half after making a gift faux pas.
And a third of people surveyed confessed to buying ‘grudge gifts’ for people they were not fond of.
Not surprisingly, bosses and colleagues who were pulled out of the office Secret Santa were most likely to be on the receiving end of a shoddy present.
Followed in second place, by exes. Naturally, the pants present was always given on behalf of the children.
Get it right with 5pm Christmas Gifts
Of course, all of this can be avoided by shopping from the 5pm Christmas Gifts page.
From Secret Santa ideas to gift vouchers, experience gifts, spa days and dinners, there are tonnes of present ideas that will make the recipient smile rather than die inside.