Research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed the gifts that people of the West Midlands were hoping not to find under their tree this year - with the selfie stick topping the chart as the least desirable Christmas gift of 2015. This comes as the BHF launches their annual unwanted Christmas gifts campaign, encouraging people to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to their local BHF shop to fund life saving research.
The survey of 2,000 British adults revealed nearly a quarter of people in the West Midlands (24%) wouldn’t want to unwrap a Selfie Stick, followed closely by the Insanity workout DVD (18%) and Star Wars merchandise (9%).
The average person receives at least one Christmas gift they don’t want each year according to the survey, and even TV stars are not exempt from finding unwanted gifts under their tree.
Oliver Proudlock, star of Made in Chelsea, said: “Last year I received some lovely gifts but three copies of The Hunger Games book was a bit much! Rather than letting unwanted gifts clutter up the house this year and feeling guilty for letting them go to waste, I’ll be donating to my local British Heart Foundation shop to raise funds for their life saving research.”
With almost half (46%) of people in the West Midlands saying they feel guilty about getting a present they don’t want or won’t use, BHF shops are urging the British public to turn this guilt into good by donating their unwanted Christmas gifts. With nearly 750 BHF shops across the UK, donating could not be easier.
Mike Taylor, Retail Director at BHF, said: “It’s really interesting to see the items that people aren’t looking forward to receiving this Christmas – but one person’s unwanted gift is another person’s perfect present. Whilst a Selfie Stick may not be on the top of some people’s lists, there will be others who can’t wait to get their hands on one!
“We are encouraging people to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to BHF shops this Christmas to help our fight against coronary heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer. Every item helps.”
For more information on BHF shops; to locate your nearest shop or to book a free collection visit bhf.org.uk/call 0844 412 5000.
