Research reveals what UK adults really want to receive for Secret Santa

Gift cards have been voted the most popular Secret Santa gift by Brits, who want to receive presents that they can actually use, according to new research.

A survey of 1007 UK adults carried out by e-tailer Christmas Tree World has revealed the top 10 Secret Santa gifts that Brits would like to receive this Christmas, which will see two thirds (67%) of UK adults taking part in the popular tradition.

With the average Secret Santa budget set at £10 in the UK, gift cards have topped the charts as Britain’s most popular present (53%), a gift that gives consumers the opportunity to go out and buy something they can choose for themselves.

In second place was alcohol, which received 46% of the vote. Popular examples include wine, gin and prosecco.

The rise in health trends such as spiralising may have contributed to the popularity of cooking, as 39% said they would like to receive something for the kitchen from their Secret Santa.

Proving that sometimes classic gifts are the best, grooming products and cosmetics, or ‘smellies’ as they are also known, came in fourth place with 36% of the vote, while a quarter (26%) said they would like to receive a book from their Secret Santa.

Of the respondents who voted for gift cards, 69% were female and 31% were male.

Stephen Evans, Managing Director of Christmas Tree World commented: “It’s great to the see that the tradition of Secret Santa is still going strong after all these years, as it’s a great way for groups to have some fun without having to spend a lot.

“Despite Secret Santa being light hearted, people clearly want to receive a gift that they can actually use, and want to avoid money being wasted on unwanted gifts. I was surprised to see that timeless classics such as gift cards, alcohol, or a bathroom gift set still have a place in the top 10, which I’m sure people who struggle to buy gifts will be pleased to hear!”

Christmas Tree World is one of the UK’s premium artificial Christmas tree e-tailers, providing unique and realistic decorations to provide a truly magical Christmas for all the family.

Top 10 secret Santa gifts that UK adults want to receive:

1. Gift card – 53%
2. Alcohol –  46%
3. Kitchen item – 39%
4. Cosmetic and grooming item– 36%
5. Book – 26%
6. Phone case – 23%
7. Diary – 22%
8. Game – 18%
9. Food – 11%
10. Novelty slippers – 9%