Maybe show him exactly what you want for Christmas
It’s a scene that is likely to be repeated in households all over the UK come Christmas Day as wives and girlfriends face disappointment when they unwrap gifts from their partner.
But it’s not surprising it can go so wrong as research by Brent Cross shopping centre reveals that nearly half of women admit to fibbing to their man about their size – either knocking off a couple of inches or dropping a complete dress size.
Research shows that up to 91 per cent of men could miss the mark with their gift buying this Christmas and much of that is down to how little they know the woman in their life.
Half of men quizzed did not know their partner’s shoe or underwear size and 57 per cent are clueless when it comes to their loved one’s favourite colour. More than half of men admit they just don’t know what clothes suit their wives or girlfriends.
But women are working behind the scenes to avoid disappointment – 50 per cent are dropping hints and 17 per cent are even getting their children to work “undercover” in a bid to get what they want. A quarter even ask for money so they can be sure they get what they want, whilst a brave 13 per cent leave it to chance.
Professor Simon Moore, Principal Lecturer of Psychology at London Metropolitan University says: “Men are hit by a double whammy when it comes to shopping for their partners: a lack of essential details and misleading information. Men in general, can fail to investigate their partners size, colour or brand preferences.
"Men shouldn’t try and second guess what might look good unless they are supremely confident. Shopping for yourself is often difficult enough let alone shopping blindly for someone else! The best way to prepare is to make sure you research fully into your partners likes and dislikes, along with doing a check in the wardrobe to find out her real dress size and listening out for any hints she may drop in the run-up to Christmas."
Tom Nathan, General Manager at Brent Cross, says: “Present buying can be fraught with difficulties as our research has revealed but with some careful research and planning, buying that perfect gift for someone special can be quite simple.”
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