MANCHESTER, England, December 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –Seven out of every 10 children will get no surprise presents this Christmas, new national research has revealed.

Children are no longer bothered about being surprised when they open their presents and 69% of them, aged 6 – 17, compile wish-lists to make sure they get what they want.

Encouraged by their parents, they hastily write down everything they’d love Santa to bring them and their parents then issue the lists around grandparents, uncles and aunties and other members of the family via email.

65% of adults said they chose to get their children to compile wish-lists because it made sure they got what they wanted.

71% of adults in the UK say they also try to make sure they get exactly what they want for Christmas by compiling a tailored wish-list, according to nationwide research* by personalised gifting company Snapajack.com.

The most popular reason given for Christmas wish-lists among adults is that they don’t want people to waste money by buying them something they won’t use or enjoy (42%).

68% have a friend or relative who always buys them something that they will never use. And 32% say every year they have at least one present that won’t even make it out of its box.

53% of those surveyed admit that they miss the surprise and excitement of getting surprise presents at Xmas.

However, 41% of British adults also say they’d rather get what they wanted rather than a surprise present on Christmas morning.

Interesting then, that 76% of Brits admit they would like to see more of that old Christmas Spirit displayed during the festive season.

A Snapajack.com spokesman said: “While we understand some of the reasoning behind the wish-list philosophy so many people are now using at Christmas, we do think it takes away some of the magic of receiving and giving Christmas gifts.

“People sending around wish-lists compiled on their iPhones and tablets and distributed to family members doesn’t exactly conjure up feelings of true Christmas spirit.

“We’d all like to see a little more Christmas spirit and thought go into the festive season, as our poll shows. A surprise present, even a small one, is often all it takes. That surprise shows you’ve thought about the recipient, the kind of things that they like and don’t like and chosen something unique and personal that is especially for them.”