Over half of UK teens (56%) have asked Santa for video games or gaming gear this Christmas according to new research* commissioned by HyperX. Santa’s sleigh will be overflowing with gadgets on the big day as half (50%) also claimed they are hoping for the latest tech gadgets to be under the tree.

Despite their children’s appetite for gaming gadgets, not all parents have caught on. Nearly a third of parents (28%) with children between 13-17 have said they will not be getting their child any gaming related products this year. Unsurprisingly, many busy parents are leaving it to the last minute to decide on whether they will be getting their children gaming gear with over one in ten (12%) of parents still undecided.

Dayna Sinclair, UK Business Development Manager at HyperX, said: “Gaming has been an amazing tool for children during this strange year. It has allowed them to socialise and play with their friends during the pandemic where it has been much harder to interact physically. It has also allowed kids to explore new worlds at a time where travel and exploration has become outlawed. With a new generation of games consoles topping many Christmas lists this year and strict Covid rules across much of the country, it is no wonder that children want to enhance the gaming experience. Gaming gadgets help friends interact and make games even more immersive.”

Top 5 popular items on Christmas wish list for children aged 13 – 17

1.   Clothing/ shoes/ bags – 59%

2.   Games and/ or gaming gear – 56%

3.   Tech gadgets – 50%

4.   Beauty products – 28%

5.   Books – 22%

Research by Censuswide, commissioned by HyperX amongst, 1,000 parents and 1,000 children aged 13-17, November 2020.