Despite the fact that they know some toy purchases won’t work without batteries, a recent survey by Ipsos SMX found that more than 20 percent of respondents said they forget to buy batteries to give along with the battery-operated holiday gifts. According to the survey, most people forget batteries because they either assume that they are included with the toy or they forget the gift requires batteries to operate.

Don't forget the batteries! Check the boxes of toys and games you purchase to see if they require ba ...

Don't forget the batteries! Check the boxes of toys and games you purchase to see if they require batteries to operate. (Photo: Business Wire)

And, the survey found that this often leads to some awkward and unhappy moments once those special holiday presents are unwrapped. Respondents provided examples of those moments in the “Toys’R’Us Holiday Battery Quick Survey”:

“It was a battery-operated toy car. Didn't realize it didn't come with batteries until the child opened the present and wanted to play with it. I felt uncomfortable/embarrassed that I didn't include batteries and made the child feel sad, because they could not test out the toy.”

“I assumed the batteries were in the package but when the child opened it they were not. I was slightly embarrassed since it was not my child and they could not play with the toy or at least check out how it worked. We looked around the house for batteries but they didn't have any in that size.”

“I got a remote control car for my 6 year old grandson for Christmas. I knew it needed batteries but I forgot to grab them. I took the gift home and wrapped it and did not think about the batteries again until he opened it on Christmas day. It made me feel bad because he was so disappointed. After all the gifts were opened he and I went on a road trip to any places that were open to find batteries. We had to go to about 8 or 9 different convenience stores to get enough for the car and the remote. He is 18 now and he remembers it as being fun.”

According to Duracell, the weeks of Black Friday, before Christmas and after Christmas are the three weeks when the most batteries are sold. In fact, one-third of all battery purchases in the U.S. are made in October, November and December, each year.

“Holiday gift purchasing is often hectic, but it is important to carefully read the toy manufacturer’s box to find out if that toy needs batteries and if so how many and which size,” said Jeff Jarrett, Brand Director, Duracell.

To make gift giving a little easier this holiday season, Duracell has teamed up with Toys“R”Us® and Hasbro® to offer bargain hunters special savings on some of this season’s hottest battery-operated playthings. Shoppers can take advantage of the following coupon, available in the Sunday, November 23 newspaper or via HasbroRewards.com, at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide from Sunday, November 23 through Saturday, November 29:

  • SAVE $8 with the purchase of both Duracell batteries (four-pack or larger) in combination with FurReal Friends® Get Up and Go Go My Walkin’ Pup™ from Hasbro

Gift-givers can also add to their savings with the following coupon, available in the Sunday, November 30 newspaper or via HasbroRewards.com, at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide from Sunday, November 30 through Saturday, December 6:

  • SAVE $10 with the purchase of Duracell batteries (four-pack or larger) in combination with TRANSFORMERS Stomp & Chomp GRIMLOCK from Hasbro

About Procter & Gamble

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