SOUTHERN Downs residents are among more than 1.7 million Australians expected to use online shopping to sell unwanted Christmas gifts.

Research undertaken by leading classifieds site Gumtree found that Australians received more than $750 million worth of unwanted gifts this Christmas - up from $475 million last year.

The research found that more than half of the population received unwanted gifts, with 54% also admitting to knowingly giving gifts they knew others wouldn't like.

Gumtree spokesperson Niki Hennessey said a 27% jump in listings between December 2012 and January 2013 shows that more Australians are going online to turn their unwanted gifts into cash.

"We expect to see even more big ticket items listed on Gumtree," she said.

"Especially goods like jewellery, perfume and technology, which the research reveals are the most common unwanted expensive gifts."

Misguided relatives and friends gave more than 14.2 million unwanted gifts this Christmas, with the most likely culprits being parents (11%) and in-laws (10%).

Australians too lazy to turn to online are re-gifting their unwanted presents, with half a million re-gifting presents to those who originally gave them the gift.

Up to eight million Australians admit to giving their unwanted presents as gifts to someone else, with women being the most common offenders.

Research found that 68% of women re-gift unwanted presents, while 51% of men admit to re-gifting as well.

Just 7% of those found to be re-gifting were caught out.

UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Why gifts are unwanted

•  Not something they would ever use (68%)
•  Something they already have (22%)
•  It was the wrong size (15%)
•  Thought it was hideous (14%)
•  They had a newer or better model (5%)

Why Aussies believe unwanted gifts were given

•  Not knowing them well enough (50%)
•  Limited budget (27%)
•  Laziness (21%)
•  Stinginess - not wanting to spend the cash (18%)
•  Left it too late (16%)