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A gift list that would get Santa fired


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Dec 8, 9:43 AM (ET)


CANBERRA (Reuters) - It may be the thought that counts when it comes to Christmas presents, but an Australian consumer magazine has issued a "useless" presents list to warn shoppers what not to buy this festive season.

A Choice magazine survey of nearly 12,000 people found the worst present to give was an electric ice shaver, joking "apparently hairy ice isn't a big consumer issue."

"It never really worked properly and we always ended up with a big mess and not enough crushed ice to be worth the effort," said one person who owned an electric ice shaver.

A close second was an ice cream maker and the third was a foot spa.

"If you are tired and have tired feet the last thing you want to do is run around, put towels down, fill up the foot spa, try not to spill it. Then it goes cold in 10 minutes. Too much work for a few minutes comfort," said a disgruntled foot spa owner.

Also on the 40-plus list of what not to buy were: electric can openers, aromatherapy diffusers, hair removal appliances (apparently they were too painful), heated rollers, hair curling wands and deli-slicers.

It seems toasters, kettles and hand-held mixers are the most useful gifts to give, according to the Choice survey.