A mum who ordered a dainty star to top her Christmas tree was stunned when a 2ft T-Rex arrived instead - so she turned their family festive centrepiece into 'Tree Rex'. Chloe Hewitt ordered the rustic Woodland Star Tree Topper from The Range thinking it would provide the perfect final touch to their woodland-themed tree.
But the 25-year-old mum-of-one was gobsmacked when a giant parcel arrived that was much bigger than the 10-inch decoration she was expecting. Initially wary, the carer tore off the paper to discover a 2ft T-Rex toy lurking inside that roared when she picked it up instead of the £3.99 ornament.
Baffled by the scaly imposter, Chloe double-checked her order confirmation to ensure she hadn't made a mistake and also checked dinosaur-mad daughter Skyler hadn't changed the order. When Chloe told the thrilled seven-year-old schoolgirl about the mix-up she was 'bouncing off the walls' and now refuses to remove 'Tree-Rex' from their tree.
Initially disappointed, Chloe concedes that the £16.99 figure fits in with the green colour scheme perfectly and that it was 'destiny' he arrived at their home. Chloe, from Westbury, Wiltshire, said: "I decided to order a new tree topper as I thought 'little one's going to want the decorations up soon' and because we've gone for a different colour theme this year.
"In the summer we decorated the living room green, so we've gone for a woodland theme with glittery bronzes, greens and silvers and pine cones. I spotted that one on The Range's website and I thought 'ooh I like the glitter on that, I'll have it. Only £3.99, bargain'.
"Then I got a knock on the door on Tuesday and I asked, 'is this for me?'. I was quite confused when it arrived, I expected the parcel to be a tiny thing and this box was massive.
"I remember thinking 'oh no I've ordered some kind of gigantic star'. I opened the box and I saw this weird pattern, I got a bit scared, I was like 'oh my god what is in this box?'
"I didn't want to take it out because I didn't know what it was, it could have been anything. I picked it up by its belly and then it started roaring at me. It was this gigantic T-Rex which my daughter's now nicknamed Tree-Rex.
"She loves dinosaurs, so was in her element. I said to my partner, how on earth have they confused a tree topper with a giant dinosaur?
"I was so excited to get my star to finish off the tree. I'm gutted but my daughter on the other hand is in her element."
When Chloe picked Skyler up from school and told her what had happened she was delighted. The monster decoration now takes pride of place on top of the Christmas tree where Chloe says he'll now stay - even if a replacement star is found.
Chloe, who lives with 37-year-old digital printer partner Jonathan Mangenot, said: "When I picked Skyler up from school I said 'you know that star we were waiting for? It turns out it's a giant dinosaur'. She was so happy she was bouncing off the wall.
"We put the tree up the day before and I've stuck him on a branch, he's just balancing there. I'm under strict instructions not to move him.
"Skyler said that even if the star comes it's not going on the tree, the dinosaur's staying. Anything to keep her happy. I'm getting used to him, he's growing on me a bit now. I think because Skyler's called him 'Tree-Rex I'm slowly coming round to the idea of it. He blends in perfectly among the green.
"Tree-Rex fits in with the green theme, it must have been destiny. I've contacted The Range to say I've got the wrong item, they've not replied yet.
"If they offer a swap I'm going to have to say I need to keep it, I'll pay for it, because my daughter's in love with it. It can't leave this house, it's a member of the family now."
A spokesperson for The Range said: "Clearly there was an error in our delivery service on this day but we are so pleased Skylar received a surprise gift which made her day a bit more roar-some.
"We have now contacted the customer and have gifted her the correct tree topper. We wish the family a very merry Christmas."
