Packages in ponds and trapped tarantulas: Which? lists its parcel disasters

While Santa can usually be relied on for the safe delivery of his parcels, the same cannot always be said for courier firms. Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images

Parcels chucked over fences into ponds, packages hidden in bins and laptops left out in the pouring rain – these are just some of the Christmas parcel delivery failures reported by consumers.

A delivery of pet tarantulas delayed overnight in transit was one of the strangest parcel problems reported to consumer group Which? in a survey of festive delivery difficulties.