CHILDREN crying on Santa’s knee has topped a ballot of probably the most embarrassing moments for folks at Christmas.
Different cringeworthy occasions embody children telling a relative they don’t like their current, asking them how a lot it price, or opening the mistaken present.
Youngsters crying on Santa’s knee is probably the most embarrassing a part of Christmas for folksCredit score: Alamy
The ballot revealed 15 per cent of children instructed somebody what their present was earlier than they’d opened it and 12 per cent cheekily ate all of the goodies from the Christmas tree.
A fifth of oldsters even have embarrassing images because of a visit to Santa’s grotto – with 38 per cent of youngsters pulling off Santa’s beard and 35 per cent operating away.
And almost one in 5 dad and mom (18 per cent) have been left mortified after their youngster wept throughout a go to to see Santa.
These moments have left 25 per cent of mums and dads feeling apologetic, with 22 per cent even saying sorry to Santa for one thing their youngster stated or did whereas visiting a grotto.
Prime 20 methods youngsters have embarrassed their dad and mom at Christmas
1. Cried once they noticed Santa at a grotto
2. Advised somebody who gave them a gift that they did not prefer it
3. Advised somebody what their Christmas present was earlier than they’d opened it
4. Eaten all of the goodies off a Christmas tree
5. Requested somebody how a lot cash they spent on their Christmas present
6. Discovered Christmas items in the home which had been meant to be from Santa
7. Eaten another person’s Christmas chocolate
8. Unwrapped the presents underneath a Christmas tree which weren’t meant for them
9. Advised somebody they did not like their Christmas dinner/cooking
10. Advised somebody they did not like their Christmas jumper
11. Refused to take a seat on the desk for Christmas dinner
12. Advised somebody who gave them a gift that it was the mistaken one
13. Pulled Santa’s beard off at a grotto
14. Advised Santa at a grotto that they did not suppose he was the ‘actual’ Santa
15. Knocked over a Christmas tree
16. Advised an aged relative they smelt
17. Woke the family up extraordinarily early when staying at another person’s home
18. Advised Santa at a grotto that they did not just like the present he gave them
19. Refused to alter out of their pyjamas for Christmas dinner
20. Requested Santa at a grotto how outdated he’s
One other 18 per cent have been left cringing, however 38 per cent admitted they noticed the humorous aspect.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Media to rejoice the launch of its free digital Santa’s Grotto expertise, which is open for functions from in the present day.
A spokesperson stated: “Each guardian will expertise a cringeworthy second as a consequence of their children sooner or later and it appears Christmas is the season for it to occur.
“Children say what they suppose and whereas typically that leaves mums and dads feeling embarrassed, it could additionally create some hilarious household reminiscences.
“Visiting Santa at a grotto is all the time going to be a memorable expertise for households, much more so if their youngsters’s antics end in a Christmas calamity, with youngsters asking Santa cheeky questions and even pulling his beard off.
“With Christmas set to be very totally different this yr, we wish to ensure households don’t miss out on the chance to fulfill Santa and we wish to assist them benefit from the magic of Christmas with our free, digital Grotto -complete with actual life reindeer.”
The research additionally revealed the funniest and most uncommon issues youngsters have requested Santa for, together with a pony (13 per cent), a brand new brother or sister (12 per cent) and for it to be Christmas each day (10 per cent).
Kids are additionally eager to place Santa on the spot, with 11 per cent asking how he’ll go to their home in the event that they don’t have a chimney.
Different awkward questions dad and mom have confronted from their offspring this yr embody ‘will Santa be allowed in our home due to social distancing?’ (19 per cent), ‘how is he going to journey as a consequence of restrictions?’ (16 per cent) and ‘lets go away hand sanitiser out?’ (12 per cent).
However with the intention to make the festive season as ‘regular’ as attainable, 48 per cent of these polled through OnePoll, will go away treats out on Christmas Eve.
And 26 per cent plan to have video calls with relations who would normally be with them on the day.
Virgin Media’s spokesperson added: “We’ve set Santa up with every thing he wants to attach with households throughout the nation straight from the North Pole, so he can nonetheless unfold Christmas cheer to youngsters – even when he can’t do it in individual.
“We’ve labored with our associates on the charity, Scope, to make the periods with Santa as accessible as attainable, and have devoted slots for disabled households and those that are shielding.
“Plus, to make the expertise much more magical, each youngster that speaks to Santa will obtain an early Christmas present; their very own Rudolph mushy toy which they’ll cuddle as they rely down the variety of sleeps till the large day.”
The poll for Virgin Media’s digital Santa’s Grotto is open from 20-23 November through www.virginmedia.com/santa with slots obtainable for Virgin Media clients, in addition to disabled households and those that are shielding.
