Kingdom lords it over shoppers on a tight Laois
Residents of the Kingdom spend a whopping €750 each on average, compared to the lowest spend of €407 in Laois.
Kerry men fork out more than most at €740.
But the women in neighbouring Cork are the highest-spending members of the fairer sex, with their average shopping bill coming to €780.
At the other end of the table, Offaly men spend just €390 each and Donegal women only spend €400 - but maybe they avail of cheaper shopping across the Border.
While the average spend on Christmas gifts is now €573 for every adult, Laois and Leitrim shoppers spend the least - at €407 and €410 per person.
But for all the hard-earned cash we spend - or put on our credit cards - the study found that one-quarter of recipients throw their gifts out with the turkey carcass.
Almost four out of five of us make no attempt at all to use these unwanted gifts, according to the research of more than 1,500 adults by gift experience company Greatdaysout.ie.
Only 8% of those surveyed said they give their unwanted gifts to charity, although one-third of Wicklow residents said they make donations of these presents.
So for those of us who have yet to finish - or even begin - this year’s festive flurry on gifts, here are some of the most unwanted stocking fillers:
For men, socks, deodorant and soap sets, or novelty items such as cartoon ties and boxer shorts are no longer funny or appropriate.
Women, on the other hand, are most likely to throw away domestic items such as oven gloves and tea towels, but also rate ‘tasteless’ underwear as among their least favourite gifts.
Another sure way not to win your woman over on Christmas morning is with a book on how to dress, toning machines or gym membership.
Despite most couples’ certainty that they know each other inside out, the research found that almost one-third of unwanted gifts are given by partners.
However, it indicated that women’s gift-giving skills improved with marriage, while men’s skills deteriorate after tying the knot.
Bosses were also found to be lacking in gift-buying ability, with 14% of those polled claiming their unwanted gifts were received from their employer, such as stingy Christmas bonuses and poor quality confectionery.
Jonathan Grey, founder of Great Days Out, said the results are not surprising.
“Many consumers no longer want traditional wrapped presents. They want something less tangible in the form of an adventure, a memory, or the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition such as visiting the edge of space, skydiving or hot-air ballooning,” he said.
