One week after Christmas- beware the batteries!

The worst thing about presents for little ones at Christmas is definitely the "batteries not included" text in small writing at the bottom of the box that has you scrabbling around in the kitchen drawers for random spare batteries you'd forgotten about.

The second worst thing about presents for little ones at Christmas is probably the false sense of security that the bundled batteries provide. The lull you into believing that the toy will run for a while on the generously provided "free" batteries but with the inevitability that a headache following too much Christmas cheer, they pack up within a week at the most.

It's not the batteries fault, they're not designed to last ages but it can be a pain in the backside, especially when a toy that was working and being played with stops working suddenly. Duracell are of course aware that batteries are often the Achilles Heel of toys, and to that effect sent me a pack of their new Ultra Power* batteries. They have the obligatory power gauge on the side but are also the most powerful alkaline battery ever and with up to 40% more power than Duracell Plus batteries too. They went straight in the Boy's toddler remote control car because that chews batteries like there's no tomorrow, especially when he forgets to turn it off (it should have an auto off feature really). I'm far too disorganised to manage rechargeable batteries, I'd perennially end up with 8 flat batteries and two cross kids I'm sure.


A couple of weeks later and the thing still isn't dead. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I have a Home Alone style comedy accident with the car whizzing between my feet. I'll try to be magnanimous and not blame Duracell if it happens :)

*not to be confused with Duracell Ultra. Easy mistake to make.