Presents from in-laws not far behind…
For many Brits, Christmas may be the season of giving — but according to new research from waste removal service HIPPO, it’s also the season of quietly binning presents.
The data reveals who is most likely to receive gifts that don’t make it past Boxing Day.
Unsurprisingly, work colleagues top the list. HIPPO found that 16.6% of respondents admitted they are most likely to discard presents from the office. Despite the long-standing tradition of Secret Santa and festive desk exchanges, novelty mugs, scented candles, and last-minute impulse buys often fail to survive the holiday season.
Neighbours and in-laws follow closely. Gifts from neighbours are the second-most discarded, cited by 9.5% of Brits, often reflecting polite but obligatory exchanges rather than carefully considered selections.
In-laws take third place, with 6.45% of respondents confessing that their gifts frequently end up in the bin. From mismatched home décor to unsolicited kitchen gadgets, it seems there is often a disconnect between what in-laws think is thoughtful and what recipients actually want.
The findings are part of HIPPO’s wider “Christmas Household Clean-Up Report”, which tracks festive waste trends across the country, including decorations, packaging, food, and household clutter.
A spokesperson said:
“We all know the awkward moment of unwrapping a gift you know you’ll never use — but our data shows just how often these items end up in the bin. The days after Christmas are now one of the busiest periods for waste collection, and unwanted presents are a surprisingly big part of that.”
The environmental implications are significant. With millions of presents exchanged every December, even a small rise in discarded gifts contributes to landfill and resource waste. HIPPO recommends rethinking the fate of unwanted items, suggesting regifting, donating, or repurposing as alternatives.
“A lot of these unwanted items are perfectly reusable — they simply weren’t the right match,” the spokesperson added. “This year, we’re encouraging people to consider other options before tossing them away.”
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