Marmite-Scented Deodorant Tops List of UK's Most Unwanted Christmas Presents
A recent poll by Which? involving over 2,000 UK adults in January revealed that 21% of respondents received an unwanted or unsuitable gift last Christmas. At the top of the list of most unwanted presents was a limited-edition Marmite-scented deodorant, produced by Unilever, the maker of Marmite and Lynx. Other unwanted items included already-worn pyjamas, sticky scents of rotten coconut and pineapple, and a Tottenham Hotspur book.
One unusual unwanted gift included a helicopter ride given to someone with vertigo and a fear of flying.
Regarding how people dealt with unwanted gifts, 33% kept the gift and intended to use it, while 15% kept the items but would not use them. A notable 34% disposed of the gift after the festive period. Common alternatives to disposal included passing on gifts: 12% gave them to friends or family, 10% donated them to charity shops, and 8% sold them online. Only a small fraction, 2%, threw gifts away, and just 1% returned unwanted presents to the purchaser.
Advice for those wishing to return unwanted gifts includes keeping gift receipts and noting that return policies vary by store. Even if an item is marked as a gift, recipients may still be able to return or exchange it, though proof of purchase is generally required. Refunds are often issued as gift cards rather than cash.
