The most memorable Christmas presents…

Besides the festive fun during Christmas time, a couple of things I have always waited for are putting up the Christmas tree and opening the presents under the tree. There were a few memorable ones alongside a many “Ok, Ok!” ones!

My own personal baking and cooking kit that had many of the tiny pots and pans is now a favourite for my children. The very first sparkly skipping rope has been kept safe for years and My mom thoughtfully wrapped it as one of the Christmas gifts for DD1 when she turned 5! 

The research says that OUR CHILDHOOD GIFTS ARE MORE MEMORABLE THAN THE FLASHY GIFTS WE RECEIVE AS ADULTS

To inspire Brits to make the right decision when it comes to gift giving, Moonpig conducted their Christmas survey to explore the most memorable gifts and favourite presents received by members of the British public.

A few weeks before, we had a lovely opportunity to cast in a Moonpig video to find out about the “Best and not so good presents” in children’s view in collaboration with the Moonpig Kids Institute.

I took them to the studio with no hints or clue! The absolutely had no idea about where we were heading to and the plan for the evening! They were far more excited when they got chance to open up the presents much earlier!

From ‘ever so useful socks’, to the ‘treat’ we never knew we wanted – we all remember a Christmas where we received a poorly picked present. So it’s no surprise that when December 25^th rolls around, we all want to receive a gift that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

The Moonpig Christmas survey unveiled that memorable, ‘money can’t buy’ gifts received as an adult include an all-clear health check following a cancer diagnosis and a pregnant wife. Oddly light bulbs also feature on the list. Despite this range of gifts, the surprising standout stat was that for 80% of us, the gifts we received as children are more memorable than those we receive as adults.

Children’s handmade presents, getting engaged and having family around on Christmas Day all also featured among the nation’s favourite gifts.

With 82% of Londoners and over 84% of those living in Edinburgh thinking that the Christmas gifts they received as a child are more memorable than those they received as an adult, and a fifth (20%) of Brits stating their best Christmas present received as an adult was cold hard cash, it’s clear the true heartfelt magic of Christmas lies with the innocence of childhood.

This prompted Moonpig to launch the Kids’ Institute to identify what makes the perfect present for our mini-mes, and to see the unfiltered reactions when gifts don’t quite meet expectations.

Moonpig invited a group of children to open a range of presents to gauge initial reactions to traditional and not so traditional gifts. Kids really have no qualms; with one young man aghast at opening a gift of a packet of Brussels sprouts, to a little lady bemused by an empty foil tin.

Look at the little one who carefully ignores an odd sock!

The day also showcased how buoyant kids can be; with two little boys exchanging a knowing glance following the unwrapping of a roll of toilet tissue, and a  group of girls getting the giggles over a jar of pickled onions. The Moonpig Kids’ Institute highlighted that while adults may cite money and gadgets as their top gifts, there’s no denying that children are far less predictable – and funny – when it comes to their present expectations!

With Kids’ Institute approved gifts including Baloons for Kids, New Baby First Birthday Gifts and Build Your Own Batmobile, it’s clear that while you might need to banish the sprouts and trash the toothbrushes, Moonpig really is the perfect place to ensure you’re a seasonal sensation when picking presents this Christmas.