UK parents are set to spend £3billion on gadgets this Christmas
Children are dreaming of a high-tech Christmas this year, as parents prepare for a bumper year of gadget spending that is expected to top £3.2billion.
The average amount that parents plan to spend on technology or gadgets for their children is £242.85, according to a survey carried out by uSwitch.com. 16% of parents plan to spend upwards of £400.
Nearly a quarter (24%) said that they would be buying a tablet for their kids, with video games (17%) smartphones (13%) and digital cameras (12%) the next most popular tech presents. More people said they would be buying a smartwatch (6%) than a computer (4%).
Despite the high-profile launches of Microsoft's Xbox One last week and Sony's Playstation 4 - out this Friday - only one in ten parents surveyed said they would be buying a new console for Christmas.
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Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said: “Many families are preparing for a tech-tastic Christmas this year, with many kids demanding the latest gadgets whatever their age. For many this will mean that the pressure is on to juggle Christmas wish lists with household budgets.
“However, despite some tablets costing upwards of £350, the advent of many cheaper versions - from high street retailers Argos and Tesco, as well as Google’s bargain priced Nexus tablet - may be the solution for parents looking to keep both their kids and their bank managers happy."
Despite this silicon splurge, most parents - 70% - limit the amount of time their children spend with their gadgets, and 26% think they spend too much money on tech for the kids. But, nevertheless, 36% feel it is inevitable they will spend even more next year.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, children's wish lists are a little out of sync with their parents' budgets. A survey compiled by the Early Learning Centre found that the average Christmas list contains toys and gadgets worth £880.
A spokesman said ""For many children, putting together their wish list is the start of the Christmas build-up. But with the value of children's gift lists approaching the £1,000 mark, it could mean there are a few disappointed youngsters this year.
"Young children aren't familiar with how much things cost so are unaware they may have chosen the most expensive toys, as well as many of the cheaper ones too."
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Their research showed that a third of children believe they will get every present on their list, while in reality parents will spend an average of £207 per child. The old adage 'the best gift to give is the one you want' still seems to ring true, as one in twenty parents admitted to choosing toys that they themselves could play with.
Uswitch also revealed that a quarter of households will end up watching TV in separate rooms to avoid tensions; half of us will still play a board game compared with the 25% who'll be glued to a console, and more than one in ten will be watching TV on a tablet.
