How to FAKE it, until you make it… through Xmas: The ultimate guide to making sure loved ones have no idea you HATE their terrible Christmas gift

Opening gifts together as a family on Christmas morning is a joyful occasion for many Britons.

However, we’ve all experienced that awkward moment when you rip off the wrapping paper and are left with something disappointing.

New research has found that more than a third of Britons (36%) regularly fake their reaction to what they find under the tree.

The pressure to respond well in front of the person who chose to do so can make it difficult to sound sincere without giving away that you don’t like it.

Body language expert Adrienne Carter shared her detailed guide on how to hide disappointment when you want to spare someone’s feelings and how to tell if the recipient is lying.

“Avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, and hiding the face are key signs that can give away how a person is really feeling,” says Carter.

She adds: “Other holiday signs include any hesitation or slight nervousness that may come to the surface if the person is struggling to hide how they really feel about the gift.”

The study also looked at the UK’s biggest scammers, with Cardiff coming out on top with more than half of those surveyed (51%) admitting to pretending to love gifts even if they hate them.

According to a study conducted PokerStars.

As for Londoners this Christmas season, four in ten will lie to their family about being unhappy with what they find under the tree.

The study, which surveyed 2,000 Brits, also found that on average women are most likely to fake happiness in the form of gifts this Christmas, with four in ten (41%) admitting they can’t be honest with their loved ones, up from 31%. men. .

Adrienne adds: “In the dance of human communication, especially in the run-up to Christmas, your body language plays a key role.

“What you feel inside often comes out, whether you realize it or not. The ability to hide your “tips” can be a game changer.

“A fake surprise and smile is often used to avoid hurting the feelings of the giver, especially if they are close friends or family members and you want to try to diffuse any conflict or awkwardness at Christmas.”

Read body language experts’ top tips on how to hide your real feelings.

Maintain eye contact

Adrienne’s first piece of advice to disappointed gift recipients is to maintain eye contact, even if it feels awkward.

She suggests, “Keep your gaze steady and steady, but not too intent.

“It creates a sense of self-confidence and prevents others from reading your emotions through your eyes.”

Control your facial expression

It is equally important to hide your facial expression and not give away what is going on in your head.

A body language expert says, “Practice control of your facial expressions—the fleeting, involuntary movements of your face that reveal your true emotions.

“Keep a neutral facial expression that doesn’t look forced or tense, and practice in front of the mirror until it becomes natural to you.

“This is especially helpful when you’re opening a gift that you know might disappoint.”

Master the serene face

Next, you should become a master of the “serene face” that you can practice before the big day.

Adrienne advises: “Enjoy your inner peace by keeping your facial muscles relaxed.

“A calm facial expression can be your most powerful disguise, preventing you from revealing your thoughts and emotions.

“Very useful in a tense situation, especially when the mood is running high, it can help defuse the situation.”

Watch your hand gestures

While you’re focusing on what your face is doing, it’s also helpful to watch your hand gestures.

The expert says: “Avoid nervous hand movements such as tapping, finger tapping or playing with objects.

“Keep your hands still or use controlled gestures to emphasize your words. The calmer you are, the more in control you are of the situation.”

Maintain an upright position

Likewise, you should “maintain an upright posture to convey confidence and composure.”

She explained: “Slouching will make you appear less confident and more likely to reveal your true feelings.

“Helpful when you’re sitting at the Christmas dinner table and you want to be anywhere but there.”

Control your breathing

Adrienne’s next tip: When opening gifts, think about your breathing.

She said: “Deep, even breathing can help you stay calm and collected.

“Shallow, rapid breathing can be a clear sign of nervousness or anxiety.”

Slow down your speech

The way you speak can also be an indicator of your true feelings.

A body language expert says, “Speak at a steady pace, avoiding fast speech patterns.

“Take deliberate pauses between sentences to collect your thoughts and maintain control over your words. Slow and measured speech is less indicative.”

Reflect others

If you are struggling, you can always look at those around you and mirror their actions and reactions.

Adrain suggests, “Imitate the body language of those around you.

“Mirroring subtly aligns your nonverbal cues with theirs, reducing the likelihood that others will notice inconsistencies.”

However, she warns: “Do it carefully and practice as it may seem inauthentic if you do it awkwardly.”

Use props strategically

In such situations, you can also use props to distract others until the moment passes.

Adrienne says: “If you’re in a difficult situation where you really need to hide your feelings, consider using a prop, like dropping something that you have to pick up later.

“They can protect your eyes and emotions from prying eyes and give you time to straighten yourself out.”

Smile

Finally, the expert says that a smile “can hide a lot of feelings.”

She adds, “A genuine smile always involves activating the muscles around the eyes.

“So, if you’re presented with something you really don’t like but want to hide it, think about what you really like and a genuine smile will come a lot easier.”