In a bid to save parents from pre-Christmas espionage, budget hotel chain Travelodge has unveiled a novel solution: dedicated present wrapping rooms. The free service aims to provide the ultimate hideaway for adults needing to prepare gifts away from prying eyes.
The Hunt for Wrapping Privacy
New research commissioned by Travelodge highlights a nationwide struggle for secrecy during the festive season. Over half of UK adults (52%) confess they desire more privacy when wrapping gifts. The pressure is particularly acute for parents, with two-fifths (40%) living in fear of their children discovering their presents before Christmas Day.
The consequences of a failed stealth operation are severe. A significant 36% of Brits have accidentally spoiled a surprise by walking in at the wrong moment. Once the secret is out, one in five (20%) feel there is simply no point in wrapping the gift at all.
Travelodge's Festive Solution
Responding to this festive dilemma, Travelodge will open specially designed ‘wrapping rooms’ at three of its hotels on Wednesday, 10th December. The participating locations are:
- London Chiswick High Road
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Edinburgh Central
The service is free to book and slots last for 75 minutes. Each room will be festively decorated and fully stocked with all the necessary supplies, including wrapping paper, tape, and finishing touches to make gifts look perfect. To enhance the experience, guests will be offered refreshments and a traditional mince pie.
A Viral Idea Comes to Life
The initiative appears inspired by a viral social media trend, where a mother was shown renting a hotel room solely for the purpose of wrapping gifts in peace. The post resonated widely, attracting comments like “Mum goals” and “Book me in!”. Travelodge's research suggests the idea has broad appeal, finding that over a quarter (26%) of Brits would consider booking a hotel room for the extra privacy needed to wrap presents.
In the absence of a dedicated space, people get creative. The study found others use shop counters (12%), a friend’s house (12%), or even their car (7%) to ensure a private wrapping session. December 20th emerges as the most popular wrapping day, though a daring 11% leave the task until Christmas Eve.
Preserving the Christmas Magic
The drive for secrecy is about more than just surprise; it's about preserving belief and wonder. For a third of Brits (33%), a discovered present ruins the magic of Christmas, while 57% say it simply spoils the surprise. Parents are forced to become increasingly inventive, with 41% finding new hiding spots annually. Sadly, one in six (16%) admit their child discovered the truth about Santa after stumbling upon a wrapping session.
A Travelodge spokesperson said: "We want to preserve the magic of Christmas and ensure that the festive build-up is as stress-free as possible. When our research found that many Brits already consider a hotel room the ideal wrapping spot, we realised we had to step in."
"Wrapping gifts should be a relaxing experience, free from the fear of others walking in. This Christmas, if you need to keep your present prep under wraps, you better get a Travelodge - either one of our free wrapping rooms or an overnight stay."
The free ‘wrapping rooms’ are available to book now by emailing PR.events@travelodge.co.uk.
