How to buy Christmas gifts people will actually love, according to Which? members

byblognet -11/04/2026 07:50:00 AM

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Don't waste your money on gifts that end up gathering dust. We asked Which? members to tell us about the presents they love receiving, and the ones that tend to go unwanted and unused.

Our survey found that a quarter of respondents would put an unwanted gift away in a cupboard or drawer, while 44% would pass it on by donating it to a charity shop, raffle or tombola. That's a lot of money spent on gifts that never get used.

Drawing on the research, we've brought together helpful tips for choosing a gift they'll genuinely appreciate, along with a few common mistakes to avoid and some of the most popular gifts from our guides.

How to choose a gift

Give them something they actually want

If you're not sure what to buy, ask them what they'd like, or do a little detective work to find something they've had their eye on but would never buy for themselves.

Our research found that 49% of Which? members prefer a gift they've specifically asked for and many also told us that the best presents they've received were things they wanted but couldn't justify buying themselves. Surprise gifts can still be a hit, but only when they're thoughtfully chosen.

Here are some of the best gifts our members told us they've received:

Experiences create the strongest memories

In our survey results, one type of present came up a lot: experiences and quality time.

In fact, 50% of the people we asked said they value creating memories with their family and friends over something physical, whether that’s on days out, holidays, concerts, spa days or restaurant meals.

Sometimes the best presents are real-life experiences:

if cooking and eating together would go down well.

Focus on their hobbies and interests

Lots of people like to be given gifts that support their hobbies and interests, with Lego sets, gardening tools, books, model kits and specialised subscriptions appearing several times in responses about our members’ favourite presents.

On the flip side, generic gifts such as bath sets were less popular because they showed little thought.

Our members shared examples of gifts that hit the mark because they matched their hobbies and passions:

Expensive doesn't always mean better

When asked how much you should spend on a gift, the majority of members we asked felt £20-£49 was appropriate for family gifts, and for friends, thoughtfulness mattered more than spend.

Many members said it's the thought behind a gift, rather than the amount spent, that matters most:

You could also consider some of the or the , many of which won't cost too much.

Avoid these Christmas gifting mistakes

In our research, Which? members agreed that the worst gifts stem from a general lack of thought, ignoring the recipient's personal preferences or choosing items that are completely impractical.

Here are some examples of particularly unpopular presents:

Bath sets and lotionsInappropriate consumablesUnwanted clothingClutter and appliances

We asked members to tell us about the presents that got it wrong. Here's what they said:

What are the most popular Christmas gifts among Which? members?

Global Gizmos popcorn maker

Global Gizmos 50900 Air Popper Popcorn Maker

We like: We don't like:

It takes 3-5 minutes to create a tasty treat for movie nights or parties and comes with three cinema-style bags to eat it out of.

Dog Paw Cleaner Cup

We like: Watch out for:

Simple to use, you just fill it with water, slip your dog’s paw into the cup and twist. It’ll remove dirt and stop them from walking muddy prints through the house.

MyTravelPal Travel Adaptor

We like:Watch out for:

The MyTravelPal Travel Adaptor is compatible in more than 150 countries, it allows you to charge up to four devices at once – with one 10A AC outlet, a USB-C port and two USB-A ports.

Elan Solar Fairy Lights – Warm White 200 LEDs

We like:We don't like:

For some people, their garden is their pride and joy, so it seems a shame not to be able to enjoy it after dark. A set of solar-powered fairy lights can help bring outdoor spaces to life at night, and will create a cosy atmosphere when summer evenings roll back around.

Wine Aerator