A surprising new study has revealed a modern shift in Christmas traditions, with one in six adults stating they see nothing wrong with giving presents without any wrapping paper. The research, commissioned by furniture retailer DFS, highlights a clear generational divide in festive etiquette.
The Generational Gift-Giving Divide
The poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found that 20 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials consider handing over an unwrapped gift to be perfectly acceptable. This contrasts sharply with the older generation, where only eight per cent of those aged between 61 and 79 felt the same way. The research also uncovered a gender gap, with men being nearly twice as likely as women to forgo gift-wrapping (19 per cent vs 10 per cent). Furthermore, men were much more keen to delegate the task entirely, with 17 per cent preferring to get someone else to wrap their gifts, compared to just seven per cent of women.
The Wider Festive Preparation Struggle
Getting ready for Christmas involves far more than just presents. The study found that 50 per cent of people undertake a deep clean or major tidy before the big day. To accommodate guests, one in four (24 per cent) go as far as rearranging their furniture. This focus on the home extends to purchases, with 20 per cent having considered buying new furniture in the run-up to Christmas, with sofas, dining tables, and soft furnishings being the most desired items.
The research also pinpointed the most frustrating aspects of festive preparation. A significant 29 per cent of respondents admitted they hate wrapping gifts, and a overwhelming 79 per cent struggle to buy gifts for certain people. Partners were identified as the most challenging people to buy for (22 per cent), ahead of parents (14 per cent) and children (nine per cent).
Early Birds vs Last-Minute Shoppers
The nation is split on when to tackle Christmas shopping. While the majority (62 per cent) prefer to get everything sorted well in advance, a dedicated 12 per cent leave it to the last minute. In fact, 16 per cent will be buying gifts right up until Christmas Eve. Of those who procrastinate, 21 per cent claim this last-minute approach adds to the festive excitement. For the organised shoppers, 27 per cent begin their prep as early as November, with more than half (51 per cent) doing so to save money and spread the cost. Over a quarter (27 per cent) specifically target Black Friday deals.
The study was carried out to mark the launch of DFS's Guaranteed Christmas Delivery service. As part of the campaign, the retailer wrapped all the sofas 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 findings: "Christmas is a time of celebration, but never-ending to-do lists ahead of the big day can often contribute to the heightened emotion. We hope that our Guaranteed Christmas Delivery on selected ranges will help lighten the mental load." She added, "Whether you're a meticulous wrapper or more of a last-minute gifter, our research shows that everyone approaches Christmas differently. We're here to help take the pressure off."
