When it comes to receiving gifts we’re not keen on‚ most of us are “polite”‚ and one in three of us believe in a kind of paying-it-forward.

According to theVisa Holiday Survey‚ “93% of us say nothing when we get a gift we don’t like — and third of us have regifted a present we don’t like”.

And‚ by expansion‚ among those passed-on presents would be “bad clothing” which led the survey’s “stinker” gifts category at 26%‚ while “random bits of clothing extras like ties or socks” tied at 13% with “a strange book the recipient would never read”.

It’s not surprising 30% of those polled were “holding thumbs” for gift vouchers.

Technology topped vouchers as the most-wanted gift with 41%‚ while clothing and and grooming products came in at 26% and 23%. Respectively.

A coffee machine was the “least popular gift…with only 4% hoping for one of these”.

Other facts from the festive survey:

- Just over half of the respondents said they’d started shopping a month or more before Christmas‚ 33% between two and three weeks‚ while only 1% admitted they shop on Christmas Eve;

- 59% of people say they have bought gifts for themselves;

- 93% still brave the crowds at the mall during the shopping season‚ but 30% of South Africans said they prefer to shop for gifts online;

- 48% will spend between R200 and R1000‚ while 22% plan to spend under R200 and 30% said they will splurge more than R1000; and

 - For festive season destinations‚ 35% opted for the beach‚ while 28% would be staying at home and 21% will be with relatives.