New Year's Thi-eve
Apples and Blackberrys - not the fruit - are predicted to be at the top of this year's shopping list for would-be Grinch's who are set on stealing everything, but the Christmas tree.
But unlike the Grinch, who robs Who-ville the night before Christmas, British burglars prefer to wait until New Year's Eve, which is the season's worst day for burglary according to ten years' worth of claims data from Aviva. Homes are 24% more likely to be broken into on December 31st than on an average day, the UK's largest insurer found.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meanwhile, have one of the lowest crime rates of the year - even criminals have a holiday it seems! But if you're unlucky enough to be targeted on December 24 or 25th the value of belongings taken are higher than normal - at around £1700 on average - a real Grinch haul.
To protect its customers, Aviva automatically increases home contents cover by an extra £3,000 over the Christmas period. But it is reminding all homeowners to ensure their sum insured is up to date in January, taking into account their Christmas bounty.
As the countdown to Christmas begins, Aviva's claims data also shows that, despite the strain on budgets, pricey gadgets are still popular. Aviva reveals the top ten items stolen by holiday burglars last year and predicts what will be top of the shopping list for consumers in 2011.
Top 10 items stolen Christmas 2010
1. Laptops (particularly Toshiba and Samsung brands)
2. Nintendo DSi
3. Apple iPods (particularly Touch and Classic)
4. Sony Playstation 3
5. Nintendo DSi
6. Sony PSP
7. Apple MacBooks
8. Microsoft Xbox 360
9. Mobile phones including iPhones
10. Apple Macbook Pros
Predicted wish list Christmas 2011
1. Apple iPhone 4S
2. Apple iPad 2
3. Laptops (particularly Apple and Sony Vaio)
4. LED/3D Televisions - 40"+
5. Kindle (particularly new touch screen version)
6. Apple iPod (particularly Touch)
7. Games Consoles (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
8. Digital Cameras (particularly Sony)
9. Handheld Consoles (particularly 3DS)
10. Blackberry and HTC smart phones
Jonathan Cracknell, household underwriter at Aviva, said: "The Christmas season is a great time to be with family and friends and actually your home is statistically pretty safe on the big day, but just one week later all those new gadgets and gifts offer rich pickings for burglars who can take advantage of homeowners celebrating New Year elsewhere.
"With the noise of fireworks and many people not returning home until the early hours it is the perfect opportunity for thieves to take their time and slip into houses unnoticed. So don't make it easy for them - make your home look lived-in, leave lights on and make sure you remember to secure all doors and windows properly, especially those at the back of your home and don't forget the garage and shed - otherwise you might find someone else enjoying all your new gifts!"
Sparks Flying
While you are least likely to be burgled on Christmas Day homeowners themselves need to be careful with the candles and cooking - December 25th is the worst day of the year for fires in the home, with claims soaring by 140%. Christmas tree lights plus dry tinsel and wrapping paper also contribute to the rise.
Aviva's tips to a safe and happy Christmas:
Don't make your home look like a shop window to tempt burglars by leaving presents under the tree - try to keep them out of sight until the big day
Attics and lofts are a good hiding place for presents and it's usually too much effort for the average burglar to look that hard for items to steal, plus they'll be far away from the wandering eyes and hands of excited children
Ensure all gift packaging is as unidentifiable as possible when you throw it out. It's easy to just dump new TV or iPod boxes in or near your outside bin but it's a beacon of advertising to opportunistic burglars
When it comes to New Year's Eve, double check the home security before you leave. Ensure all doors, windows, sheds and garages are locked securely and spare keys aren't on display or near to your front door - this will this will prevent burglars using the hook and cane method through your letterbox
Leave lights and the TV or radio on if you're out and about over Christmas so burglars think you're home
Be neighbourly - keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour and alerting the police if necessary is the right thing to do and could mean you prevent a miserable Christmas or New Year for your neighbourFor more information on insurance direct from Aviva go to aviva.co.uk.