Do not buy your loved one a digital photo frame or a digital radio if you want Christmas Day to go off smoothly.

Such is the advice offered today by, of all people, the British Video Association (BVA), after polling some 2000-odd customer.

Fifty-eight per cent of those asked hoped Santa will bring them electronic goods this Christmas, a percentage that increased to 80 per cent among yoof aged 18-24. But 31 per cent have received electronic gadgets for Christmas they never – or hardly ever – use.

As a trade organisation, BVA has an axe of its own to grind here, so it couldn't help but suggest we buy a 3D Blu-ray Disc player and/or "games consoles that let you play Blu-rays and DVDs" instead.

BVA's moral: choose gifts that will make Britain's video retailers as happy as they do your friends and family. You know it makes sense.

Gadgets to avoid - apparently - include foot spas, blenders, coffee makers, shavers, toothbrushes, Sudoku games and bread makers - all among the list of unwanted presents that respondents had received in the past.

Presumably, we'll now receive a press release from the Electronic Bread Maker Marketing Council lauding the advantages of its product as a better offering than those tedious media playback devices that will have families falling out over what to watch this Chrimble... ®