Britons more likely to buy Christmas presents for pets than grandparents

It is well known that British love their pets more than most other things in the world. So, the revelation in a recent survey by a bank that family pets will probably get more presents this Christmas in the UK than grandparents comes as no surprise. That more than a third of the respondents said they were more likely to splurge on Fido or Fifi rather than Gramps should tell marketers in department stores about what to stock up on. With Britons slated to spend £166 million this year on pet presents alone, and with no clear numbers available for grandfathers, ’tis clearly the season for chews and collars not hankies and socks. Maybe grandfathers will actually be relieved at not having to find space to stash their 32nd pair of gaudy Christmas socks anyway.

But some things never change, as the eldest child will again bag the most presents—contrary to popular perception about the baby of the family being the most favoured —followed by the youngest and middle children, the spouse and granddaughters. Though the family pet comes after all these, it still pips gramps and granny in the gift stakes. Be that as it may, with an average spend of £37 per Christmas gift, the typical family outgo will add up to a very substantial £17 billion. And that still means a very busy Christmas for one white-bearded grandfather figure...