A highly anticipated Christmas Sleigh Hamper from The Range, which previously became a viral sensation, has once again become available in stores, prompting a flurry of excitement and purchases among parents eager to add a special touch to their festive season. This £7.99 product, designed to hold gifts and decorations, had many rushing to secure what they believed to be a must-have festive item.

However, the return of the popular sleigh has also brought forth a stern warning from one disappointed mother, Emma Smith. Taking to the private Facebook group 'Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK', Emma expressed her profound dissatisfaction with the Large Christmas Sleigh Hamper, labeling it as “not worth the hype” and “flimsy.” She shared images of the damaged sleigh, claiming, “The cardboard is very flimsy,” and that “The sleigh has collapsed to the side,” despite ensuring it was properly assembled. Her frustration highlighted that the product, once lauded as a “fun way to display gifts” and “the gift that keeps on giving,” failed to live up to its promise for her.

Emma’s post ignited a significant divide among the group’s 2.6 million members. Many social media users echoed her concerns, sharing similar negative experiences. Comments included, “Not buying again. I was crazy to get it from The Range. When you put it away it won’t fold back up. It's cute but not worth it and very small,” and “Same happened to mine! Filled it with sweets and it couldn't take the weight and the legs buckled!” These users were thankful for Emma’s warning, suggesting it saved them from a similar disappointment.

Conversely, a substantial number of shoppers disagreed with Emma’s assessment, reporting positive experiences with their sleigh hampers. One person stated, “I got these two years ago and this will be the third year I’ve used them. Mine are great. No issues with them.” Another chimed in, “I got two the other day and put them up and all fine.” A third user beamed, “I got the large one from The Range last year and I’ll be using it again as I found it ok and didn’t have any problems with it.” One observation suggested, “Looks like it's been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all,” implying user error.

In response to the suggestion of improper assembly, Emma clarified, “It wasn’t forced. The cardboard is hard regardless so you’ve got to make sure it’s put in the slots properly,” reaffirming her belief in the product's inherent flimsiness. Amidst this debate, some users pointed towards an alternative, with one shopper sharing, “B&M ones are better and cheaper!” and another agreeing, “Got mine from B&M, £5. Sturdy and solid,” providing potential better value options for festive display needs.