Brits have had their Christmas spoilt by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Over a third of adults have unintentionally ruined their own Christmas surprises by accepting deliveries that turned out to be their own gifts, according to a poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate the festive season. The biggest giveaway was the branding on the box (58%), according to the survey.
Some people confessed they guessed it was their present from the shape of the parcel (48%), or the sound it made when shaken (37%). While the weight of the delivery (35%) and even the smell (19%) were additional clues. On average, those whose surprises were spoiled said it happened three times last year alone.
With a third (33%) now depending on online shopping for Christmas presents, 18% admitted they worry about someone they live with accepting a delivery, which is actually a gift intended for them.
And with 62% planning to take advantage of online Black Friday sales, the flurry of parcels could see even more presents revealed ahead of the big day.
The research, commissioned by Post Office, found a third of gift-givers said a surprise they’d planned for someone else was ruined the moment the delivery arrived.
It also emerged one in 10 even felt ‘out of control of Christmas’ when a loved one guessed what was in the package, while 46% wished they could better manage the seasonal stress that comes with preparing for the festive period.
The research also found 34% of recipients admitted they correctly guessed what was inside a delivery, leaving 29% of gift givers even feeling like they had to buy something new to makeup for it.
To dodge such blunders, 18% have their items delivered to their workplace, while a cheeky six% have even pulled a sickie so they can be at home when their parcels arrive.
Candice Ohandjanian, the big boss of mails and parcels at Post Office, chimed in: “Nothing ruins the magic of Christmas faster than signing for your own present or the kids spotting their gifts at the door.
“A quarter of people across the UK still don’t know they can have their online shopping delivered to their local branch.
“So next time you’re shopping for gifts online, set your local branch as your delivery destination, keeping surprises secret and the magic of the season alive.”
