Rapper
‘My Aunt Sylvia gave me a shirt that had been worn before. It was dirty around the collar. I put it at the bottom of a pile of stuff, thinking to myself, “I’m never going to wear that.” But, hey, it’s the thought that counts.’ Photograph: James Johnson
Artist
'About 15 years ago, my mum gave me a mug tree. I said, “This is rubbish. I don’t want it.” It went straight to the charity shop.' Photograph: James Johnson
Pop singers
John 'We did get some Pokémon toys when we were about 10, which we didn’t love. It was about two years after they were trendy, and even at the age of 10 we felt a bit stupid playing with them.'
Photograph: James Johnson
Pop singers
Edward 'Also, when we were 12, an aunt bought us a Thomas The Tank Engine book. I’m not sure why she thought 12-year-olds would still be into Thomas, but we just smiled and read it anyway.' Photograph: Graham Turner/Guardian
Singer
‘A boy in grade 7 gave me a pair of earrings that had Christmas trees on them. I was 12 and I thought, “These aren’t that cool.” I said, “Ooh, very festive” and changed the subject. I think he expected me to wear them to class the next day, but I didn’t. I told him I’d lost them, but years later a friend showed up at a dance wearing them, and I was busted.' Photograph: James Johnson
Writer and broadcaster
'Someone gave me a Windows mobile phone about two years ago. I think they thought I’d be terribly pleased with it, but it was shite. I said, “Oooh. Ooh. Ooooohh.” Lots of “Ohs”. You have to look like you’re pleased with it. I left it sitting in a drawer in my house. I expect it’s still there.' Photograph: James Johnson
Singer
'When I was about 17, I received some aftershave from an auntie. I wasn’t traumatised by it, it was quite funny. It was called Pagan Man. I find the idea of giving that to a 17-year-old adolescent amusing. I said thank you – you have to go through with it, don’t you? After all, we all know it’s the thought that counts. I tried it only once and it smelled foul. I think I had it on display in the room for a long time because I liked the name. I’ve never really understood aftershave anyway. It’s the worst thing to put on your face when you’ve just shaved.' Photograph: James Johnson
Politician
'A mate of mine who I worked in the City with gave me a tie with all the different euro denominations on. That probably goes in the category of most useless present. It has been in the wardrobe for 10 years and it’s never been worn. I think he gave me the tie and thought perhaps I might change my mind about things! He thought it was a good idea. One day I will wear it for a joke, but I haven’t got round to it yet. There was also the time a client/friend of mine gave me a nice magnum of Bordeaux. I thought this was really exciting, and planned to have it with the family at Christmas. I said, “Look at this, it’s the business.” It was corked. Very disappointing.' Photograph: James Johnson
Broadcaster
'My mum used to buy me fluffy toys and things, and I’m so not a girly girl and so not into fluffy toys. She got me teddy bears with “I Love You” on them, and things like that. Now she’s gone, God bless her, I’ve kept a couple, and they’re really special to me. I’ll normally find a home for an unsuitable gift. But I’d never hurt the person who gave it to me by telling them it’s awful, because I think you should be grateful for the thought.' Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Actor
'I was given a poster of a painting by Bouguereau by my then boyfriend. It was all pink clouds and rosy nipples and no pubes. We’d been together for a couple of years, and I had taken him to Florence and Rome and Paris and shown him all the things I find beautiful. I think he wanted to show how much he had learned about art and the female form. I said, “I think this shows why we can never be together.” ' Photograph: James Johnson
Actor
'I love books, I read a lot, but I have been given books that are of no interest to me at all, by very nice people for the best of reasons. Now I’ve got a pile of them and I feel guilty about throwing them out or giving them to somebody else. But I haven’t read them, and I hate it. My stock response is, “Thank you so much, I’ll try and get round to it, but I’ve got a list of other books I haven’t yet read, so it might take some time.” I’ve got a whole pile here… Michael Buerk, The Road Taken. The Empress Of Ireland, by Christopher Robbins. Alain de Botton, The Architecture Of Happiness. Someone’s spent £17.99 on that, and I’ve not opened it. Tony and Barry Buzan have a book called The Mind Map Book. What’s that about?! I’m not doubting their quality, but the books I read I choose carefully and they have to be applicable to me.' Photograph: James Johnson
TV presenter
'I’m quite specific about my Christmas presents. We come from a family that believes in asking. My parents have always been a) incredibly over-the-top generous and b) “What do you want?” So there haven’t been many surprises. One year, Channel 4 gave me some computer game thingy – a Game Boy. I took one look at it and thought, “Never in a million years” and re-gifted it. It made me the world’s best godparent. I would no more have used it than fly to the moon.' Photograph: guardian.co.uk
