At Christmas, socks suck and knickers are pants

New research by Churchill Home Insurance reveals the Christmas presents that people really don't want to see in their stockings this year.

For over a quarter (26 per cent), receiving an unfashionable or out-of-date item of clothing is the worst present they can receive. Others get wound up by joke gifts (23 per cent), memberships to an association or a charity donation (21 per cent) and presents they are sure were originally meant for somebody else (26 per cent).

Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) are irked when they receive bad underwear or lingerie and over one in ten (13 per cent) are unimpressed with socks. Also, those planning to play it safe by giving gift vouchers won't be endearing themselves to anyone either as nearly one in twenty (4 per cent) say they are the worst presents they could receive.

The research also addresses what people do with their unwanted gifts once Christmas is over. Many trade them in for cash with over a fifth (21 per cent) typically selling them on via the internet or car boot sales. Others prefer to 're-gift', passing off their unwanted presents as gifts to others (14 per cent).

Other findings from the research:

Over one in ten (11 per cent) ask for a receipt so they can exchange their unwanted goods

Nearly half (43 per cent) admit to smiling and pretending an unwanted gift is what they wished for

Over a third (35 per cent) take the gift and promptly hide it away in a cupboard

Others offer their unwanted gifts to charity (32 per cent) or pass them on to people who they genuinely believe will like them (18 per cent)

Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance, comments: "The research shows people enjoy getting into the spirit of Christmas and swapping gifts. It seems almost inevitable that at some point they'll receive things that they aren't keen on. The New Year is a good time to have a clear-out and put unwanted items to good use, for example selling them on or giving them away to charity.

"The New Year is also a great time for householders to re-evaluate their home contents and take stock of what they own - this way they ensure they have adequate insurance cover in place should the worst happen."

The research also found:

27 per cent of people are put out by those who display a lack of thought in their presents
15 per cent are irritated at receiving clothes in the wrong size
Getting cheaper, inferior versions of what they want is annoying to 14 per cent of people
11 per cent think there is nothing worse than receiving a gift when the batteries are not included