Some children might be lucky enough to unwrap a new Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation, or Microsoft Xbox under the Christmas tree this week. But specialists have warned parents to sort out a few steps before wrapping them up to save a headache on Christmas Day.

Many do not realise that a lack of preparation when it comes to gaming consoles can lead to delays, glitches or even unexpected bills to pay. AO.com’s Gaming and AV expert Nick Bunce has shared some of the easy things families can do before December 25 to make sure games and consoles are ready to go.

One of the biggest ‘mistakes’ that can be easily dodged with some planning involves finding a quiet moment to take everything out of the box and start setting things up. Christmas Day is often one of the busiest days for gaming servers, as millions of new users from around the world start setting up new consoles, creating profiles and downloading games.

Nick said: “A big mistake we see every Christmas is families unboxing a brand-new console on the big day – only to face long waits for updates. I would always advise parents to set the console up in advance – it can save a lot of stress.

“Things like downloading system updates and creating online accounts are all much easier to do beforehand. Then, kids can jump straight into their games, rather than waiting for downloads or creating online profiles.”

During this prep time, parents would be smart to consider a few other things too, such as where the new gaming system will eventually stay. Many people underestimate the importance of where your console lives – but this can make a big difference to overall play quality.

Nick said: “The best advice is to ensure the console is set up in a safe, well-ventilated space to avoid potential dust build-up with all the right connections in place. Avoid tucking it behind the TV or piling other things on top, and ensure the wiring doesn’t become entangled with other devices – all gaming devices need breathing room to perform properly and stay cool.”

Checking the internet connection is important, even if your console will be exclusively used for solo or at-home multiplayer. Nearly every device will need a stable internet connection to receive the latest updates, and if games are being downloaded digitally.

“Consider using a wired connection or a WiFi booster” if your device isn’t getting the best wireless connection. Nick suggested. When adjusting the settings, it might be a good idea to test out what display, audio and accessibility features may work best for your TV – these can always be updated later.

Parents might want to put restrictions on one feature before the kids get their hands on any gaming setups. Doing this ahead of Christmas can help prevent any expensive bills or costly problems that are difficult to reverse.

Nick said: “Games like Fortnite, Roblox and FIFA often come with in-game purchases. We’ve all heard stories about families being caught out with unexpected charges – especially when no parental controls were set up in advance.

“If you’re gifting a console this year, take a bit of time the night before to get it ready – it makes Christmas morning much smoother and more fun for everyone. It provides some much-needed peace of mind for parents concerned about potential safety issues.”

Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo all offer robust parental controls to restrict in-game purchases, allowing parents to set spending limits or even require passcodes before transactions can proceed. Spend time researching your specific console and what measures need to be put in place.