Is YOUR Christmas gift a dud? Look for these three subtle reactions to see if your loved one is FAKING it when they open your present this holiday season

  • Out of 2,000 Americans surveyed by OnePoll, 73% admitted to faking enthusiastic reactions when opening presents 
  • Eight out of ten respondents confessed that they will lie to someone's face and pretend to like a gift  — even if they hate it 
  • If the person says 'wow' or 'aww', they may be less than pleased with your gift
  • Other signs of displeasure include long hugs and pats on the back 

When handing over a gift this Christmas, look closely at the person's reaction because they probably won't tell you if they don't like it.

From Oscar-worthy acceptances to heart-warming embraces, research on the gift-opening habits of 2,000 Americans found that 73 per cent of those surveyed regularly fake their reactions when opening a present.

Eight out ten respondents admitted they will lie to someone's face and pretend to like a gift — even if they absolutely hate it — while only 10 per cent of those surveyed would confess to being less than pleased with a present.

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No really... You shouldn't have: A survey on the gift-giving habits of 2,000 Americans found that 73 per cent of respondents regularly fake their reactions when opening a present 

The study, conducted by market researchers, OnePoll, and commissioned by Groupon found the average person takes under five seconds to know if they like a present, so how can you tell if your gift is a bust?

1. The recipient appears too delighted  

When someone is faking an enthusiastic reaction, the survey identified the most common phrase people utter when they are only pretending to like a gift.  

THINGS PEOPLE DO WHEN PRETENDING TO LIKE A GIFT

  1. Appear delighted 
  2. Hug long enough to avoid awkward questions 
  3. Kiss the gift giver 
  4. Stare at the gift 
  5. Pat someone on the back

And if someone says 'wow' when opening your present this year, you may be in big trouble.

Simply saying 'you shouldn't have' or 'aww' are also signs you may have missed the mark, and both appeared in the top five most commonly uttered phrases when someone hates a gift.

Other phrases to be worried about include 'I needed one of these' and 'I love it', as a quarter of those surveyed said they believe lying about liking a gift is the polite thing to do. 

When someone is faking an enthusiastic reaction, the survey identified the most common phrase people utter when they are only pretending to like a gift (file picture)  

2. The giftee stares at the present 

If someone is just silently staring at the gift after it is opened, that is a tell-tale sign that he or she is less than pleased with what they have been given.  

THINGS PEOPLE SAY WHEN PRETENDING TO LIKE A GIFT

  1. Wow 
  2. Aww! 
  3. I love it 
  4. You shouldn't have 
  5. I needed one of these 

Whether the person is trying to come up with a lie to show appreciate or simply dumbfounded by the logic behind the present, silence is a very bad sign that the gift was well-received. 

However, 11 per cent of those surveyed would openly say that they don't like a present — because they feel the gift giver should know them better.

So silence isn't always the worst reaction.  

3. The person goes straight for physical affection 

Most people expect a hug and a kiss from their loved ones after they present them with gifts, but those displays of physical affection aren't always the best signs that the item was well received. 

TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR THE PERFECT GIFT

  1. Personality 
  2. Hobbies 
  3. Sentimental/sweet 
  4. Appearance/style 
  5. Inspirational 
  6. What's trending 
  7. Jewelry 
  8. Inside-jokes 
  9. Tech-based 
  10. Expensive 

According to the survey, about three out 10 respondents said their go-to move is give the person a big hug and squeeze them long enough to avoid any awkward questions.  

Out of the 58 per cent of people who confessed to being expert fakers, some admitted that they have given gift givers pats on the back while feigning enthusiasm for their presents.

However, these tricks don't always go unnoticed. 

Thirty-seven per cent of those polled said they've given a gift to someone and known the other person was lying when they said they liked it.

Most people expect a hug and a kiss from their loved ones after they present them with gifts, but those displays of physical affection aren't always the best signs that the item was well received

Some people may lean in and give the gift-giver of receiver a kiss, to show it hasn't been well received 

Others may just stare at the gift or the person who handed it over to fake their appreciation 

Consider these three things when choosing a gift

 'It's no secret that getting the right gift for everyone on your list can be an enormous challenge,' said Silvija Martincevic, vice president and general manager of health, beauty, and wellness at Groupon. 'We want everyone to truly love their gifts. After all, no one has ever returned a massage.' 

The study shows that when purchasing a gift, people should consider the recipient's personality and hobbies, as well as any sentimental moments or memories, when choosing a present for someone. 

"While there are a number of very good actors among our family and friends, this research shows that the best gifts to bring out someone's true gift face usually involve something more personalized and experiential in nature such as relaxing spa day, a meal at a great restaurant or an activity that involves one of their favorite hobbies," Martincevic added.

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