Smyths Toys issues warning to parents doing Christmas shopping

Ellen O'Donoghue

With Christmas fast approaching, households around the country are in full preparation mode.

Parents have been scrambling to shops, particularly with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eager to grab the best deals.

But amid the excitement, Smyths Toys has issued a warning on its website for parents buying presents this year.

The popular retailer has a click and collect service; however, it could spell disaster for parents using it with children in tow.

Orders are packaged in clear plastic bags, meaning children could see what their parents have ordered inside, ruining any Christmas morning surprises that have been planned.

A notice on the Smyths Toys website says, "Please note your Click & Collect items will be in clear packaging with contents visible."

Smyths Toys has extended its store opening hours in the lead up to Christmas, with many locations staying open until 10pm Monday to Friday.

Another potential present-ruining warning that has come to light is that Amazon Alexa, when announcing that parcels are to be delivered, will tell anyone who asks Alexa what is in the package, exactly what is inside.

However, this issue can be avoided by setting Alexa to be more discreet.

To change the settings on your Alexa and stop any festive surprises from being ruined, you must open Alexa on your phone, tap settings, choose notifications, select Amazon shopping, and uncheck the box titled "for items in delivery updates," under the section "let Alexa say or show titles for your items you've ordered."

Parents have also been warned to keep an eye out for deliveries, as some may not come in discreet packaging.