A surprising new study has uncovered that a significant number of Britons are happy to bypass one of Christmas's most enduring traditions: wrapping presents. The research indicates a clear generational and gender divide in attitudes towards gift presentation.
The Unwrapped Truth: Who's Skipping the Paper?
The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by furniture retailer DFS, found that one in six adults sees no issue with handing over a Christmas present without any wrapping. This habit is far more prevalent among men, who are nearly twice as likely as women to present an unwrapped gift (19% vs 10%).
Furthermore, men are much more prone to delegate the task entirely, with 17% passing all gift-wrapping duties to someone else, compared to just 7% of women.
A Generational Shift in Festive Etiquette
The data reveals a stark contrast between age groups. A substantial 20% of Gen Z and Millennials believe it is perfectly acceptable to give an unwrapped gift. This attitude is far less common among older generations, with only 8% of those aged 61 to 79 feeling the same way.
The struggle with gift-giving extends beyond wrapping, however. A significant 79% of respondents admitted they find it difficult to buy presents for certain people, with partners posing the biggest challenge, ahead of parents and children.
The Bigger Picture of Festive Preparation
This research was launched alongside DFS's Guaranteed Christmas Delivery service. To promote the offer, the company gift-wrapped every sofa in its Derby store and announced a competition for 10 customers to win their sofa for free.
Kellie Wyles, a spokesperson for DFS, commented on the festive pressure, stating: "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 added that their delivery guarantee aims to "help lighten the mental load" for homeowners.
Beyond presents, preparing for Christmas involves considerable effort for many. The study found that 50% of people tidy up or do a comprehensive clean before the celebrations, and one in four rearrange furniture to make space for guests. Interestingly, 20% have considered buying new furniture in the run-up to Christmas.
Whether you are a meticulous planner or a last-minute gifter, it seems the approaches to the festive season are as varied as the gifts themselves.
