PayPal Ad Ruined Christmas, Say Pissed Off Parents

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority could launch an investigation into a PayPal ad that many parents say spoils the Santa secret.

The ad, which first aired on Sunday during The X Factor, features two kids worrying about not getting any Christmas presents.

“I don’t think we;’re getting any Christmas presents this year,” says one child to his brother. “Have you noticed how mom and dad have been around so much lately? Normally, this time of year, they’re out shopping.”

The point of the ad is that the parents have used PayPal to do all of their shopping online. But upset parents have argued that the ad makes it appear as though parents are the reason kids receive presents Christmas morning, not Santa Claus.

The Guardianreports that the UK’s ad watchdog has received over 230 complaints about the ad.

Parents aren’t just mad about the ad itself, but also about it’s airing time. Apparently, it aired before 9pm – when kids are still awake and watching TV.

PayPal has been quick to address the controversy, saying it thought everyone knew that both Santa and kids’ parents deliver presents on Christmas.

“We just want to take a moment to say we’re sorry that some people have been upset by our new UK Christmas TV advert,” said a spokeswoman for PayPal. “Our ad aims to take a fun look at those Christmas presents kids know come from their parents, and not in any way say Father Christmas doesn’t also deliver presents to them.”

PayPal UK has pledged to make sure its ad runs after 9pm.

I guess Christmas can be saved, after all.