When it comes to presents, we strongly believe people would prefer to ask for what they REALLY want. However, to convince the doubters we knew we’d have to get our hands on some facts and figures!

That’s why in 2007 we commissioned a research study on this very subject. Here are some of our findings…

• Don’t think you’ll offend people by asking for what you want; 76% of men and 70% of women prefer it when people tell them what they want for a present.

• Of our list Davina McCall would buy the best present (17%) followed by Jonathan Ross, Katie Price (aka Jordan) and Chris Moyles (all on 13%).

• And who would buy the worst present? In joint first place is Tony Blair and Pete Doherty , both had 22% of the vote each!

• On average we waste 5 days (4.96) every year looking for presents.

• Those living in the South East spend the least amount of time looking for presents whereas those living in Scotland spend the most (4 days and 7 days respectively).

• Nearly half of the people we interviewed (49%) would like to spend less time looking for presents. Unsurprisingly this is higher amongst men aged 30-35, where 60% of them said they’d rather put their time to better use!

• We must be a smelly nation as Two thirds (66%) of men receive a deodorant set and over three quarters (78%) of women receive bath and shower products.

• The stereotype is wrong, the Scottish are not the tightest people in the UK! When buying a present, they spend on average £33 per person. Our results indicate that those living in Yorkshire & Humberside, the South West, and the North East spend the least on presents (average per person is £26). Those in London spend the most averaging £42.

• Over a quarter of all men (26%) are likely to receive a funny gift that they don’t think is actually funny. Nearly a quarter of all men 24%) are also likely to receive a pointless gadget which ends up sitting in a drawer.

• Nearly half (44%) of people have received the same present twice (or more) from different people on a birthday or at Christmas. Results indicate that people may be embarrassed as 51% of those kept both presents and didn’t mention it to the present giver.

• Nearly a quarter (23%) of people have exchanged a present without telling the person that bought it. Only 10% gave the present back to one of the parties but nearly a third (32%) has passed the present on to someone else!

• Nearly half of people (47%) feel overwhelmed by the number of presents they have to buy. This is higher amongst women (54%).

• Nearly a quarter (24%) of people will give vouchers to people instead of presents because it’s easier.

• Nearly Two Thirds (65%) of us often struggle to know what to buy for people.

• Nearly half (48%) of us spend more on a present when we don’t know what to buy.

• It seems we can’t control our spending either as 38% of men and 33% of women (36% overall) have bought something for themselves when they were meant to be buying a present for someone else.

• 57% of men can find purchasing a chore (Over a fifth – 22% - answered strongly). This compared to 44% of women, which is still very high.

• We don’t like offending people as over three quarters of us (76%) try to give the impression that we are happy with a present even if we’re not!

• Women must have more friends, as at Christmas time, on average a man has 10 presents to buy whereas women have 15!

• Under 25 year olds spend more time looking for presents than those aged 25-35 (6 days compared to 4)

• Over a quarter (27%) of people are bashful when opening presents and don’t like people watching.

• 21% of people believe they spend more on presents for other people then is spent on them. 54% think they spend the same and 21% think they spend less – meanies!

• Overall, Dads are the hardest people to buy for (27%) followed by boyfriends/girlfriends (21%).

 

An online survey was conducted amongst 501 respondents aged 16-35 by QRS Market Research Ltd. QRS are an independent fieldwork and research agency who are members of the Market Research Society.
For further details about the survey or some more detailed results please contact press@lookatmylist.com
For further details about QRS go to www.qrs-research.co.uk