Unwanted Gifts
In an article by Chris Melore titled, You shouldn’t have! Holiday shoppers spending $10.1 billion on gifts nobody wants. Melore reveals the results behind a 2024 study that indicates how many Christmas gifts are actually unwanted. He writes…
“This holiday season, take a moment to ask yourself, ‘Does this person really want what I’m buying them?’ A new survey finds the answer is likely no! Researchers have found that more than half of Americans (53%) will receive a gift they don’t want.
It turns out that everyday Americans are throwing away tons of money. According to a survey, unwanted presents will reach an all-time high in both volume and cost this year, with an estimated $10.1 billion being spent on gifts headed for the regifting pile.
Overall, the annual holiday spending forecast finds that roughly 140 million Americans will receive at least one unwanted present. Shockingly, one in 20 people expect to receive at least five gifts they won’t want to keep. The average cost of these unwanted items is expected to rise to $72 this holiday season, up from $66 last year. That represents a billion-dollar surge in wasteful holiday spending.
Saying ‘you shouldn’t have…’ might be a more truthful statement than ever when it comes to certain gift ideas. Topping the unwanted gift list are:
Clothing and accessories (43%)
Household items (33%)
Cosmetics and fragrances (26%)
Technology gifts (25%)
So, what happens to all these well-intentioned but unwanted presents?
Regifting is the most popular solution (39%)
Return the item to the store to exchange for something else (32%)
Sell the unwanted gift (27%)
So, if you’re still looking for last-minute gifts this holiday season, choose wisely. There’s a very good chance the person you’re buying for won’t like your choices anyway.”
I don’t know how reliable this study actually is, but most people probably receive a gift or two at Christmas that they either do not need or cannot use. But this season also serves as a reminder of one gift that everyone needs, but not everyone receives it. John writes in chapter 1:11,12,14 “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The gift of Jesus Christ is unprecedented in scope, nothing has ever come close to its value, and it is matchless in its impact on humanity bringing eternal hope and salvation. The best news is that while it cost God His Son, it is a free gift to all who will receive it. Have you received it? If not, you can today. The Bible says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Pastor Ray
Image credit: Unsplash
“This holiday season, take a moment to ask yourself, ‘Does this person really want what I’m buying them?’ A new survey finds the answer is likely no! Researchers have found that more than half of Americans (53%) will receive a gift they don’t want.
It turns out that everyday Americans are throwing away tons of money. According to a survey, unwanted presents will reach an all-time high in both volume and cost this year, with an estimated $10.1 billion being spent on gifts headed for the regifting pile.
Overall, the annual holiday spending forecast finds that roughly 140 million Americans will receive at least one unwanted present. Shockingly, one in 20 people expect to receive at least five gifts they won’t want to keep. The average cost of these unwanted items is expected to rise to $72 this holiday season, up from $66 last year. That represents a billion-dollar surge in wasteful holiday spending.
Saying ‘you shouldn’t have…’ might be a more truthful statement than ever when it comes to certain gift ideas. Topping the unwanted gift list are:
Clothing and accessories (43%)
Household items (33%)
Cosmetics and fragrances (26%)
Technology gifts (25%)
So, what happens to all these well-intentioned but unwanted presents?
Regifting is the most popular solution (39%)
Return the item to the store to exchange for something else (32%)
Sell the unwanted gift (27%)
So, if you’re still looking for last-minute gifts this holiday season, choose wisely. There’s a very good chance the person you’re buying for won’t like your choices anyway.”
I don’t know how reliable this study actually is, but most people probably receive a gift or two at Christmas that they either do not need or cannot use. But this season also serves as a reminder of one gift that everyone needs, but not everyone receives it. John writes in chapter 1:11,12,14 “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The gift of Jesus Christ is unprecedented in scope, nothing has ever come close to its value, and it is matchless in its impact on humanity bringing eternal hope and salvation. The best news is that while it cost God His Son, it is a free gift to all who will receive it. Have you received it? If not, you can today. The Bible says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Pastor Ray
Image credit: Unsplash
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