The hidden passive-aggressive meaning behind your Christmas presents
A new survey has found that one in five people believe there’s a hidden meaning in the gifts they receive at Christmas.
Groupon asked 2,000 people about their presents during the holiday season, discovering that many believe their gifts could contain passive-aggressive or subliminal messages.
Survey participants felt their mothers are the biggest culprits when it comes to trying to tell them something with their gift choices followed by their spouses and mother-in-laws.
According to the results, some of the top (perceived) hidden meanings of presents include: becoming more productive or organised, making healthier choices, to get fitter and go to the gym, learning how to cook and spicing up the sex life.
"These results give us an indication of just how much people read into meaning behind their gifts and show that it’s worth making the extra effort to get everything right,” Aaron Cooper, president of North America, Groupon said.
“Connecting a gift back to something meaningful is always the best and easiest way to make sure it goes over well.”
The survey, conducted by market researchers OnePoll and commissioned by Groupon, found that men are 67 percent more likely to receive a passive-aggressive gift from their mother than women.
Men are also three times more likely than women to throw out a bad gift within 48 hours of receiving it.
Insect repellent came top of the list of the most unwanted gift this holiday season, followed by self-help books, cleaning supplies, wrinkle cream and fruitcake.