Major giftware supplier, Rex International, has revealed the results of a fascinating survey into gift-giving habits in the UK, finding that the surprise element is paramount when it comes to bringing joy.
92% of survey respondents said they believe gift-giving is more fun when the recipient doesn’t expect it, with almost the same number – 91% – saying the same when it comes to receiving gifts. The most important part of receiving a gift was said to be the thoughtfulness, although eight out of ten polite Brits pretend to like gifts they secretly dislike.
Whilst last minute Christmas shopping is the norm for many of us, it transpires that January is the most popular month to buy the first Christmas present
Respondents said that their favourite person to buy a gift for is a child (56.2%, followed by best friend (11.7%), partner (10.3%) and then Mother, colleagues, siblings, poor old dad! and the in-laws. One respondent said in answer to the question: “The person who least expects something but it comes at exactly the right time for them”.
The least favourite people to buy gifts for were deemed to be in-laws (25.8%), colleagues (17.6%), partner (15%) then father, mother, siblings and the rest. One voiced the classic gift industry concern that “Men full stop are very difficult to buy for.”
Almost 40% of respondents asid they spend at least a month deciding what to buy their partner for Christmas, whilst almost 20% will spend a week. Some say they “start looking in January”.
Rex International based their results on around 1230 survey responses
See the full survey here: Nearly half of us expect random gifts… | Rex London blog
Giftwrap by British Craft Directory member, Rachel Meehan: Rachel Meehan – British Craft Directory
