Shoppers should splash out on presents designed to aid developing countries this Christmas with almost €192 million being spent on unwanted gifts, Oxfam Ireland said today.
Trevor Anderson from Oxfam urged people to consider alternative gifts including buying cows, goats, cooking stoves, bicycles and toilets for people living in a developing country.
Trevor Anderson, Oxfam
Research from Oxfam Ireland has found people spend an average of €48 per person on last-minute panic purchases as Christmas approaches.
Mr Anderson, who is head of retail operations at Oxfam Ireland, said: "We were astounded to find that the average person will think nothing of rushing out to spend over €48 on unwanted gifts.
"The same money could buy a gift of a cooking stove, a goat or even a toilet for a family in a developing country. We encourage shoppers to think carefully before the panic sets in, and look at what a charity like Oxfam can offer as a solution that 'gives twice'."
Mr Anderson urged people to consider the Oxfam Unwrapped alternative gifts catalogue where presents range in price from €7 for two Oxfam buckets upwards.
The survey of almost 2,000 Christmas shoppers found around 5.84 million unwanted gifts will be opened on December 25th.
More than three quarters of the population at 83 per cent claim to receive at least one gift they do not want at Christmas.
"But there is a silver lining for any unwanted presents that you do get - Oxfam would be delighted to accept donations of good quality clothing, books, records, CDs and DVDs for sale in their shops countrywide," Mr Anderson said.
PA