Twas the weekend before Christmas - gift gloom to beset Britain

As Brits prepare for a last-minute dash for Christmas gifts, be warned that your efforts could go to waste. An astonishing four in five of us (80 per cent) are likely to be po-faced on Christmas Day when we open presents we don't want or like.

According to the survey from price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, it is those in North West England who are the most choosy, with 83 per cent being disappointed with the contents of their stockings. Even the least fussy region – Yorkshire – has 76 per cent receiving dud presents.

Women are harder to please when it comes to Christmas gifts, with 84 per cent being let down by festive presents compared to 76 per cent of men.

Surprisingly, only six per cent of us sell our unwanted gifts and only 11 per cent rewrap them and give them to someone else. More than a quarter of us keep the Christmas spirit alive by giving unloved gifts to charity, but 44 per cent of Brits keep the gifts they could do without.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "We all like to get into the seasonal spirit, splashing out on gifts and goodies for our loved ones. But it seems Brits may need to take more care when it comes to the selection process. It is a shame only a fifth of Brits receive presents they actually want, meaning up and down the country disappointment will be rife on Christmas Day."

Eight per cent of Brits believe the cost of their unwanted gifts over the past five years have exceeded £200. The average across the country comes in at £72 – the equivalent value of the latest must-have coffee machine or designer handbag.

Richard Mason added: "You need to ensure any expensive presents, wanted or unwanted, are insured. Check your policy details as most providers apply a generous seasonal uplift on cover to include Christmas gifts. Don't risk being underinsured in the event of damage or burglary, especially as it seems there will already be enough disappointment around the Christmas tree."