Smyths Toys issues warning to parents buying Christmas presents this year

Every parent knows how tricky it is to keep the Christmas magic alive - and retailers are doing their bit to help too.

It can be hard trying to keep things under wraps, especially if you need to take your little ones to the shops with you.

That's why Smyths Toys Superstores is reminding parents that anyone using its Click and Collect order service will receive their items in clear plastic bags.

Not wanting to ruin anyone's surprises, the Irish Mirror reported how Smyths is giving families the heads up.

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A message on its website reads: "Please note your Click & Collect items will be in clear packaging with contents visible."

It comes as people take to social media every year to remind parents using the service to take their own bags along and prevent any festive spoilers.

Twitter user Sarah Breen took to the platform in 2020 to say: "Warning to anyone using the click and collect service from Smyths - they put everything in a clear bag. I repeat, the bag is CLEAR."

In a follow-up message in 2021, she stressed: "This is your seasonal reminder that Smyths plastic bags are still SEE THROUGH".

Smyths has announced most of its stores will be open until 9pm Monday to Friday until December 22, so parents may be able to shop later on in the evenings and avoid a potential disaster.

The Twitter messages have sparked comments from other parents sharing their close calls.

One said: "A colleague here has Amazon Alexa which announced 'your package will be delivered in 30 minutes'… to which the kids responded 'Alexa, what's in the package?' and were duly told".

Twitter users