Two in three older women say relatives and friends get it wrong.
Santa leaves two thirds of older women disappointed at Christmas, according to new research.
This is more than double those aged 18 - 30, (29%) who admit being unhappy with their gifts and just 24% of women aged 31 - 49 feel the same.
A study for online retailer JD Williams found that for 67% of those in the 50 plus age group festive presents can be a bit of a let-down.
The survey revealed that although so many were left distinctly underwhelmed by their gifts, eight in ten of them, 79%, would never dream of letting the giver know how they really felt about their present.
Main areas for the biggest gift gaffs were the kitchen and the bathroom, with cooking tins, aprons, lacy shower caps and floral soap and talc sets proving particularly unpopular, along with tea towels and poinsettia plants.
Research among customers found the biggest blunders were made by young neighbours followed by sons and nephews.
Examples of presents older women had received included an ice scrapper for the car, plug in air fresheners and boxes of biscuits. One women revealed her son had bought her a book on medieval history after she mentioned she liked a historical drama on TV.
When asked about presents guaranteed to delight on Christmas morning favourite fragrances, costume jewellery, scarves and make-up and evening bags were top of the list.
Suzi Burns from JD Williams explained: “The message from our research that came out loud and clear was that women don’t want to be seen as cooks or frumps by their nearest and dearest. They want to receive gifts that make them feel glamourous and pampered; gifts related to them as individuals rather than as an extension of their home - they are over-fifty, not over-the-hill.
“Part of the problems is that most women are too polite to even hint that someone who bought them a gift got it completely wrong.
“The traditional Christmas message is all about giving not receiving, but it is even nicer to give a present knowing that it is something which will be used and enjoyed and not just stuck on a shelf or re-gifted to someone else.”
Top Ten most disappointing presents for women aged 50 plus.
1. Pots, pans and cooking tins
2. Generic soap, talc and bath oil sets
3. Plate set
4. Cookery books
5. Kitchen aprons/Tea Towel – often with “humorous” pictures on them
6. Slippers/bed socks
7. Anti-wrinkle cream
8. Floral and/or lacy shower caps
9. Supermarket branded biscuits
10. Poinsettia plants
Top ten presents women aged 50 plus would like to receive.
1. Designer fragrance – one they wear
2. Book of fiction by their favourite author
3. Jewellery – doesn’t have to be expensive, tasteful earrings and costume bling are welcome
4. Items of make-up in brands and colours you actually wear
5. Tasteful Christmas bouquet
6. Set of skin creams in a brand you always use, or a designer brand as a treat
7. Glamourous and elegant scarves and wraps in appealing colours and soft luxe fabrics
8. Lip balm in nice shades and pretty sets
9. Luxury fragranced hand-creams
10. Make-up, or evening bags in bright, bold, designs.
