ATLANTA – In a new poll by an online gifts store for geeks reveal that diet books top the list of worst Christmas gifts among Georgians.

Release:

• Poll identifies the worst Christmas gifts ever received.
• Half equate the monetary value of a gift with its emotional value. 
• Interactive map showing the worst gifts received by state. 

Year after year, the Christmas sweater remains a proverbial punchline, nestled in holiday history alongside the lonely pairs of socks and the all-too-familiar bath sets. Yet, these well-intended but often misaligned gifts keep finding their way under the tree. From the strained smiles at receiving a beginner’s cookbook to the awkward thanks for a gym membership nudge, everyone’s got a story. The classic self-help book, often more shelf-help, sitting pristinely untouched, is a testament to the gift that wasn’t quite right.

Merchoid.com, the online gifts store for geeks, set out to reveal the truth behind the country’s gift-giving gaffes. In an eye-opening poll targeting 3,000 respondents, they found out which gifts make us grimace rather than grin. Georgia’s results were as follows:

#1 A diet book or weight loss program membership.

The worst Christmas gift Georgians have received was a diet book or weight loss program membership. Nothing encapsulates the holiday spirit like a booklet that questions your every culinary choice since Thanksgiving.

#2 A donation made in my name to a cause I don’t support

Perhaps surprisingly, donations made in recipients’ names to causes they don’t champion are not particularly welcomed. But it’s the thought that counts… unless that thought completely misses the mark. A donation in your name can be heartwarming unless it’s for the Society of People Who Prefer Cats Over Dogs and you’re staunchly pro-pooch.

#3 Personal hygiene products 

The Scent of Insinuation… This was followed by personal hygiene products – because nothing screams ‘Merry Christmas’ quite like a stick of deodorant or the subtle hint of mouthwash. More aptly put, “Merry Freshness” isn’t quite the season’s greetings we had in mind.

#4 Cleaning supplies or a vacuum cleaner 

The Soul Cleanser… Cleaning supplies or a vacuum cleaner  – because nothing says “I care” like an appliance that sucks up more than just holiday cheer.

#5 Self-help books that I didn’t ask for 

Unrequested self-help books that make you question your life choices as you question the choice of the giver.

#6 A book on improving social skills or manners 

Books on improving social graces nudge their way into our lives, suggesting we might be one faux pas away from social pariah status.

#7 Office Supplies

Office supplies remind you of where you’ll be heading back to once the holidays are over.

#8 A bulk pack of something mundane, such as socks or batteries 

The Bulk of Boredom… Bulk packs of the mundane—socks, batteries, the works—because when in doubt, buy in bulk?

#9 A cookbook for beginners 

Ideal for those who find boiling water a culinary challenge and consider toast to be avant-garde cuisine. This gift is perfect for the ‘chef’ who thinks a three-course meal includes a microwave and two different flavors of instant ramen.

Interactive map showing the worst gifts received by state 

Merchoid.com didn’t stop at merely cataloging the calamities. The decided to dig further:

• The Thought That Doesn’t Count… Nearly a quarter of people (24%) feel that their partner’s gifts are selected with a lack of thoughtfulness. The sentiment seems clear: it’s high time for an upgrade from autopilot gifting.
• Alarmingly, for 39%, a thoughtless gift has been a deal-breaker. A poorly chosen gift has not just fallen flat, it’s flattened the relationship. Who knew that what’s under the tree could lead to what’s not meant to be?
• A staggering 63% say the presentation influences their perception of a gift. A well-tied bow, it seems, ties strongly to the heartstrings.
• Nearly half (47%) equate the monetary value of a gift with its emotional value. The investment in a gift might just translate to the investment in the relationship, it seems.
• Two-thirds (65%) have received a gift that’s led to a long-lasting change in their perception of the giver. It’s not just about what’s inside the box, but what message it carries.
• Lastly, 50% confess choosing a gift for the in-laws has 50% of people feeling the holiday heat.

“We’ve all been there” says Simon Ward from Merchoid.com. “Smiling graciously while unwrapping a gift that makes us wonder if Santa got our list mixed up with someone else’s. However, our findings highlight the joy of gifting – it turns out that a well-wrapped present can warm hearts, and while some gifts might raise eyebrows, they all make for great stories later.”