£3bn: the total price-tag for Christmas gadgets

As expected, it's tablets and smartphones that will be getting most of the attention this Christmas

Tablets such as the iPad Air (pictured) will be one of the many on Christmas wish-lists this year. (EPA)

Parents in the UK will collectively spend over £3bn on tech gifts for their children this Christmas.

On average, parents will each splash out £243 on technology, with some even surpassing the £400 mark to fulfil their children’s wishes.

In the same survey, which was carried out by price comparison site uSwitch.com, 70 per cent of parents admitted they spend too much on gadgetry during the festive season.

Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at uSwitch, said that despite some gadgets costing hundreds of pounds, there are a number of cheaper options available for parents who want “to keep both their kids and their bank managers happy.”

Doku added: “Any parents worried about keeping the cost of Christmas gifts down should make sure they get the best deal, and perhaps think outside the big names. Many of the bargain priced smartphones and tablets are actually still relatively high spec.”

As might be expected, tablets are set to dominate the Christmas market this year. Almost a quarter of all tech presents will be tablets, even more than video games, despite the launch of the next-gen consoles.

The smartwatch, which was once touted to be the next big thing, will be languishing this year in the technology market, making up only six per cent of gifts.

There is some indication that the huge uptake of tablets this year might lead to disharmony on Christmas day. According to uSwitch, 26 per cent of families will watch television in different rooms, with 12 per cent watching films and TV on a tablet or laptop device.

However, for the traditionalists who yearn for a Christmas devoid of all the technology, there is some encouraging news: 52 per cent of families will still be playing board games on Christmas day.