The Newark Advertiser asked people in Newark for their best and worst Christmas gifts
With Christmas only two weeks away and the bid for the perfect gift under way, Newarkers share their best and worst Christmas presents.
From socks to chocolates to winning the lottery, presents on Santa’s wish list for this year are countless — the key is whether it is a good or a bad present.
The Advertiser went out in the cold streets of Newark to find out the funniest and kindest stories of Christmas presents.
Newark resident Carol Gylliver said: “My worst Christmas present was an electric blanket from my husband and we haven’t been married for very long.
“I wasn’t impressed so I did say to him, ‘do you like being married to me?’
“He said yes and I said, then don’t do that again."
To the question of what was her best present she said: “Any Christmas with my husband is the best present I ever had.”
Leanne Knowles said: “The best would be jewellery that suits me very well or a trip away, I like presents that can make memories. The worst one — I don’t like when people buy me clothes because I have my own style.”
With the rise of living costs, presents can be considered by many a luxury rather than a necessity.
“Best present would be someone paying my electric and gas bill and the worst is junk mail at Christmas,” said Janette Moffat.
“For my husband the best Christmas present would be food but to me the worst present would be to be ill.” said Jennet Jones.
Resident Dorothy Holman said: “What I don’t like is a lot of socks, especially when they have a lot of colours, I like one particular colour.
“The best present is having the family together, that’s the best.”
Couple Cyril Cole and Ivy Davies agreed that the worst presents would be chocolates or something for the house, such as pans and pots, but the best would be loads of money.
“Or own the bank itself” added Cyril.
From concert tickets to sports fans, everyone has an idea of their ideal present, or worst nightmare.
Tony Towers said: “Receiving tickets for Nottingham Forest would be the worst, and seasonal tickets to Notts County would be the best.”
Maxime Waller said: “The worst that first comes to my mind, I’m sorry if you’re a fan but Stormzy, anything to do with him. The best would be somewhere nice, a little trip away.”
Women's general idea of the worst present was house work related, from irons, to pans or hovers.
Diane Ashley: “Worst present has anything to do with house work, best everything handmade.”
Amy Priestley said: “The worst present was a tea towel that I received from a Secret Santa when I worked at a school. I gifted them back.”
Diane Allison said: “My best Christmas present was a star my daughter made me and the worst was a box of chocolates that my daughter gave me but she ate all the chocolates and just gave me the box.”
If you were having doubts on what to buy your friends, family and loved ones this Christmas, here you have some ideas of what to run to and away from.
