Now that we're well into November, many Irish people will have started their Christmas shopping.
Parents will soon be scrambling to get the catalogues so their kids can circle the toys they want from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.
However, many will run into one problem when they head to the shops - specifically Smyths.
Last year, gamers found out to their horror that some of the retailer's packaging is clear plastic bags - which were see through.
This, for example, allowed people to spy their gifts through the bag.
One parent took to Twitter last year to warn: "This is your seasonal reminder that Smyths plastic bags are still SEE THROUGH".
Sharing a message from last year, she said: "Warning to anyone using the click and collect service from Smyths – they put everything in a clear bag. I repeat, the bag is CLEAR".
The warning was followed by other parents sharing their close calls and sheer disasters after their Christmas presents were revealed.
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 were quick to offer advice on how to avoid this issue in the future.
They said: "You probably know this, but you can set alexa to be more discreet about those things."
If you wish to change the settings on your Alexa to stop anything being given away, do the following.
- Open Alexa on your phone.
- Tap Settings.
- Choose Notifications.
- Select Amazon Shopping.
Uncheck the box titled "For items in delivery updates" under the section "Let Alexa say or show titles for items you've ordered."
Parents also warned to keep an eye out for deliveries as they may not come in packaging at all.
One person said: "I've had smyths toys delivered with no box, just address sticker slapped on them – would have been disastrous if the kids had seen".
A second said: "The Lego online shop was shipping all their stuff last year in big Lego-branded boxes. Pure grace of God none of our kids came to the door when DPD delivered it."
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