A recent survey has uncovered that many adults are comfortable giving unwrapped gifts during the Christmas season, with men showing a higher tendency to do so compared to women. The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that one in six participants believe there is no issue with presenting gifts without wrapping.
Among the findings, 19% of men admitted to presenting unwrapped gifts, nearly double the 10% of women who reported the same. The survey highlighted generational differences as well, revealing that 20% of Gen Z and Millennials view unwrapped gifts as acceptable, in stark contrast to just 8% of respondents aged between 61 and 79.
The research was commissioned by DFS, coinciding with the launch of its Guaranteed Christmas Delivery service for a range of products. As part of the promotion, the company wrapped all the sofas in its Derby store and announced a competition for ten customers to win their sofa for free.
Kellie Wyles, spokesperson for DFS, noted that “Christmas is a time of celebration, but never-ending to-do lists ahead of the big day can often contribute to the heightened emotion.” She expressed hope that the Guaranteed Christmas Delivery service would alleviate some of the stress associated with preparing for the holiday.
The survey revealed that gift wrapping itself is a point of contention for many. 29% of respondents admitted to disliking the task, while 79% reported difficulties in selecting gifts for specific individuals. Partners were identified as the most challenging recipients, followed closely by parents and children. This struggle often leads to last-minute shopping, with 16% of individuals purchasing gifts right up until Christmas Eve, adding a sense of festive excitement.
Despite this, a majority of participants, 62%, prefer to organize their gift buying well in advance of December 25. Notably, 27% start their preparations as early as November, with many seeking to save money by spreading out costs. Black Friday has emerged as a popular time for gift shopping, with 27% of people targeting the event for their purchases.
Preparing for Christmas involves more than just wrapping presents. The survey indicated that 50% of respondents engage in cleaning or tidying up before the celebrations, and 25% rearrange furniture to accommodate guests. The findings also revealed that 20% of participants have considered buying new furniture in the lead-up to Christmas, with sofas, dining tables, and soft furnishings topping their shopping lists.
Kellie Wyles emphasized that the research illustrates the diverse approaches to Christmas gifting. “Whether you’re a meticulous wrapper or more of a last-minute gifter, our research shows that everyone approaches Christmas differently,” she said. DFS aims to ease the pressure on holiday preparations, whether through timely sofa deliveries or providing inspiration via their festive prep guide.
