Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

DON'T MAKE A PIG'S EAR OF YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THIS YEAR!

7 December 2006

DON’T MAKE A PIG’S EAR OF YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THIS YEAR!

Easter eggs, curried ants and a pig’s ear just some of the UK’s strangest gifts received

When people across the UK open their presents on Christmas Day this year, they should prepare themselves as there could be some very strange items lurking beneath the gift-wrap.

Curried ants, a pig’s ear and rather un-seasonal Easter eggs are just a few of the oddest gifts received at Christmas according to new research by One4All Gift Vouchers from the Post Office®.

Six out of ten people (56 per cent) surveyed said they have received a strange or inappropriate Christmas gift in the past, with ten of the oddest being:

*Curried ants
*A pig’s ear
*A second-hand toilet
*A fly swat
*A rat trap
*A sheep’s testicle
*A stick insect
*A robotic yak
*Easter eggs
*A squid’s tentacle

Hugh Stacey, Head of Gifting Services at the Post Office®, said: “From stick insects to curried ants it shows that there could be some very odd and not so welcome gifts lurking in people’s Christmas stockings.”

The research also showed that it when it comes to buying gifts, husbands are more likely to miss the mark than wives. Over half of men (51 per cent) said that their wife or partner buys the best present. This compares to only a third (36 per cent) of women who admitted that their other half knows best!

For women, daughters and mums score highly in the best present pole, at 17 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Though from a male perspective, sons and dads don’t fare as well with only 3 per cent of men saying they give the best present.

Aunties clinch the title of worst Christmas shopper with 16 per cent of 18 – 29 year olds citing auntie as the worst gift giver.

One anonymous male recalled a gift from his auntie that left a lasting impression, for all the wrong reasons: “It was a pack of Y-fronts and vest. They were brown with orange piping – and I was 24 years old!”

Whatever your gender and whoever you’re buying for, one way to guarantee the perfect gift this Christmas is to give a One4All Gift Voucher from the Post Office®.

Unlike traditional gift vouchers, the One4All Gift Voucher is not restricted for use at just one retailer. Instead the recipient can choose from a vast list of participating high street shops, services and leisure activities across the UK, including House of Fraser, Debenhams, Woolworths, Comet, Butlins, Legoland and Radisson Edwardian Hotels. From socks to sweaters, facial treatments to fly fishing – there’s so much choice your gift can never be in the wrong size or colour!

Hugh Stacey continued: “Choosing the perfect present can be a challenge. As well as finding the time to visit busy high streets, there’s also the dilemma of knowing what to buy. The One4All Gift Voucher is a great way to make sure your present will always be gratefully received.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

In addition to the strangest gifts received, the research also revealed some very inappropriate presents:

*Balloon flight – to someone scared of heights
*Driving lessons - to someone who had been driving for four years, from their grandmother
*Maternity underwear - to someone who wasn’t pregnant
*Hair gel - to a bald man
*Chest expander – from a woman’s first husband
*Car jump leads – to someone who didn’t own a car
*A girl’s pink woolly jumper – to a man from his grandmother
*Bath bombs and salts – to people with no bath
*Cigarrettes – to a non-smoker
*A leather jacket - to a vegetarian (from their mother-in-law)

The new One4All™ Gift Voucher is available at all 14,300 Post Office® branches across the UK, by calling 08700 84 44 44 or by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk. To see the full list of participating retailers visit www.giftvouchershop.co.uk.

Research carried out by YouGov in October 2006. Results are weighted to the profile of UK adults.

Issued by:

Ruth Barker
Four Countries Communications
Tel: 0207 490 0206
Mobile: 07814 571128
Email: ruth@fourcountries.co.uk