Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

DECK THE HALLS WITH ...... PLASTIC CUCKOO CLOCKS AND ORNAMENTAL DOGS!

•Thirty million people wear, display or eat unwanted Christmas presents
•Plastic ornaments and unfashionable jumpers UK’s “mustn’t have” gifts

Millions of gifts unwrapped on Christmas Day are set to reveal some rather unwelcome additions to the nation’s halls, living rooms, kitchens and wardrobes according to new research.

Although shoppers across the UK are set to invest over 650 million hours trying to give unforgettable Christmas gifts, research from magazinesbymail.net has revealed that for 66% of people (64 per cent) some presents may prove hard to forget for all the wrong reasons. With thirty million people feeling obliged to wear, eat or display them in their homes to avoid offending the giver.

Whilst outsized and unfashionable jumpers top the worst clothing gift list for the fifteen million people (32%) wearing unwanted items, clown bookends, plastic cuckoo clocks and ornamental dogs are just some of the items adorning one in five (20 per cent) of the nation’s homes following misguided gift giving.

One recipient stated that the gift of a cow shaped kettle which moos when it boils is one present proving to be very hard to forget! Another recipient of a large ornamental dog claimed it suffered an unfortunate “accident” rather that tell the giver it didn’t fit with their décor.

One certain way to ensure your present is unforgettable for all the right reasons is to give a magazine subscription - nine out of ten people (88 per cent) would welcome a subscription to a magazine on one of their favourite topics as a gift this Christmas. It is also a constant reminder that you care, as a copy of the magazine will be delivered through the letterbox throughout the year.

Lisa Markwell, Features Director of Easy Living Magazine said “Everybody wants their Christmas gift to be truly memorable … but in a good way, not an ill-fitting jumper or an ornament they don’t like! A magazine subscription is a gift which is always received with pleasure, and the fact that it keeps coming means your generosity will be remembered all year long.”

The magazinesbymail.net research also revealed that when it comes to Christmas stresses four out of ten women (42 per cent) said deciding exactly what to buy, and worrying that the gift will not be liked are the most stressful parts of Christmas shopping. This compared to thirty five per cent who found visiting busy high streets the most stressful element.

Wives present the biggest gifting dilemmas with 38 per cent of men saying they are most difficult to buy for, whilst only half as many women (19 per cent) felt the same way about their husbands.

A magazine subscription makes a quick and easy last minute gift. A visit to magazinesbymail.net will reveal 1000's of titles to choose from with a magazine to suit all interests and hobbies. From dogs to decorating and fashion to football it’s easy to find the right magazine for even the most hard to buy for individuals, whether they be your grandma or granddaughter, fiancé or father.

To find out how to give a magazine subscription this Christmas visit www.magazinesbymail.net.

Issued by Ruth Barker
Four Countries Communications
Tel: 07814 571128
Email: ruth@fourcountries.co.uk

Regional statistics are available on request.

The research completed by YouGov with 2563 adults in October 2006 also found that:

–One and a half million people (three per cent) have found the gift particularly hard to swallow, by eating or drinking something they don’t like to be polite
–Only one in ten people (11 per cent) can remember last year’s Christmas gift list
–One in five men (17 per cent) can’t remember who gave them a single present last year

Some of the unwanted gifts included:

–Ornamental dogs both china and plastic
–Blue blobby glass thing – is it an ornament is it a candle holder
–Hand knitted jumpers in all colours (bright ones) of the rainbow and animal skin patterns
–Giant animal slippers
–Strange shaped vases
–Patchwork skirt with bells on