One in four sentimental Brits can’t bear to part with their childhood teddy bear
It may be time for some spring cleaning, but there’s one item the British simply can’t part with – even if it’s moth-eaten or missing an eye.
Research shows that more than a quarter still hold the teddy bear from their childhood.
And in a nation of sentimental hoarders, 27 percent said they couldn’t bear to lose their own children’s artwork.
Other items cluttering up the drawers include old cell phones (34 percent), shoes that are too painful to wear (22 percent), love letters from an old flame (11 percent) and “lucky pants” (7 percent).
Topping the list are souvenirs from old holidays in around 35 percent of Britons’ homes.
Just over a fifth admitted to being a hoarder, and one in ten said they believe certain possessions bring good luck.
Research shows that more than a quarter of Brits are holding on to their childhood teddy bear
But now that the cupboards are bursting, their loved ones are taking matters into their own hands.
Nearly a quarter of Brits have owned items that were deemed too ugly or embarrassing to be hidden away for display by a partner.
And 30 percent have put sentimental items in storage to avoid taking them to a charity shop.
Old technology also appears in the list of most commonly held items, especially phones and laptops that store photos and memories.
Of those surveyed, 24 percent had kept their first games console and 15 percent still had an iPod with all their favorite songs on it.
Up to 57 percent of Brits admitted to feeling guilty about replacing technology that still works, with many saying they feel pressure to upgrade purely for looks.
The research from refurbished technology platform Back Market follows the launch of its ‘ugly’ and ‘outdated’ categories, in which customers can purchase fully functioning laptops with visible wear and tear so they don’t end up in landfill.
Chief marketing officer Joy Howard said: “We are seeing a clear shift. For years, technology was about the latest. What matters now is whether it works for your life. People are starting to wonder why they are replacing devices that still do everything they need.”