In a recent survey of “the worst presents ever received” the top two offenders were roll-on deodorants and already opened boxes of chocolates. Yuck on both counts!
Chocolates are high on my unwanted gift list too, opened or otherwise, but only because I’m one of those strange people who can’t stand the stuff, most probably due to an Easter egg overload during childhood.

Interestingly, my Daughter has not developed this aversion and happily helps out at Christmas and birthday time when boxes of all sugary shapes and sizes start filling the house.
The boyfriend is now well educated in my likes and dislikes in the gift department, something small and sparkly or cold hard cash are his stay out of jail card. Another safe bet for me is a lovely gift voucher for some much needed pampering, of course I can book these things for myself but somehow never seem to be able to justify the time/cost, so when you’re given a gift voucher, well, it would be rude not to!
Which is why I’m struggling to understand how, as a nation, we have a whopping £500 million of unused gift vouchers sitting around in our homes… shocking.
I must admit, I do have a £5.00 Argos gift voucher dating back to 1995 that has never seen the light of day but when it comes to massage and facial vouchers, mine are spent before the ink’s dry.
Having checked our system for unredeemed vouchers the number is miniscule, so I’m guessing it’s the type of voucher that’s key to a good gift, I do know one lady who would jump for joy upon opening a B&Q gift voucher but I do believe she is quite a rarity (you know who you are) So if you want to guarantee a happy smiling face let me recommend a Spa voucher this Christmas but if you would like your partner to be a seething ball of resentment on Christmas day just pick something up from the petrol station on your way home from the office party… hic…

P.S its November 13th… time to put the sprouts on.