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

Unwrapping presents with the whole family on Christmas morning is a joyful occasion for many Britons.

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

A new survey has revealed that more than a third of Brits (36%) routinely fake their reactions to what they find under the tree.

With the pressure to respond well in front of the person who picked it, it can be difficult to sound sincere and not give away that you don't like it.

Body language expert Adrienne Carter has shared her ultimate guide to ways to hide your disappointment, if you want to spare someone's feelings – and how to tell if a recipient is lying.

“Avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, and hiding your face are key traits that can reveal how someone is really feeling,” says Carter.

She adds: 'Other festive characteristics include hesitation or mild nervousness, which can surface as a person struggles to conceal how he or she really feels about a gift.'

The research also looked at who Britain's biggest scammers are. Cardiff comes out on top with more than half of those surveyed (51%) admitting they pretend to love gifts even when they hate them.

Brits based in Southampton (45%), Norwich (44%), Liverpool (41%) and Sheffield (41%) will also raise a frown this Christmas Day, the research shows PokerStars.

As for Londoners this Christmas season, four in ten will lie to their family about not being happy with what they find under the tree.

The survey of 2,000 Brits also found that on average, women are the most likely to fake gift-giving happiness this Christmas, with four in ten (41%) admitting they can't be honest with their loved ones, compared to 31% of men. .

Adrienne adds: 'In the dance of human interaction, especially around Christmas, your body language plays a crucial role.

'How you feel inside often leaks out, whether you realize it or not. The ability to hide your 'tells' can be a game changer.

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

Read on for the best tips from body language experts on how to hide how you really feel.

Maintain eye contact

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

She suggests, “Keep your gaze steady and confident, but not overly intense.

'This conveys a sense of self-confidence and makes it more difficult for others to read your emotions through your eyes.'

Control facial expressions

It's equally important to hide your facial expressions and not reveal what's going on in your head.

The body language expert says: 'Practice controlling your facial expressions – those fleeting, involuntary facial movements that reveal your true emotions.

'Maintain a neutral expression that doesn't look forced or tense, practicing this in the mirror until it feels natural to you.

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

Master the serene face

Next, you need to become a master of the “serene face,” which you can practice before the big day.

Adrienne advises, “master your inner peace by keeping your facial muscles relaxed.

'A serene expression can be your most powerful disguise against revealing your thoughts and emotions.

'Very useful in a tense situation, especially when emotions are running high, it can help diffuse the situation'.

Watch your hand gestures

While you're focusing on what your face is doing, it's also a good idea to pay attention to your hand gestures.

The expert says: 'Avoid nervous hand movements such as tapping, drumming your fingers or playing with objects.

'Keep your hands still or use controlled gestures to emphasize your words. The quieter you are, the more control you have.”

Maintain an upright posture

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

She explained: 'Slouching can make you seem less confident and more likely to reveal your true feelings.

'Handy if you are sitting at the Christmas table and would rather be somewhere else than there'.

Manage your breathing

Adrienne's next tip is to think about your breathing when opening gifts.

She said: 'Deep, regular breathing can help you stay calm and collected.

'Shallow, rapid breathing can be a telltale sign of nervousness or anxiety.'

Slow down your speech

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

The body language professional says, “Speak at a measured pace and avoid fast speech patterns.

“Take intentional pauses between sentences to organize your thoughts and maintain control of your words. Speaking slowly and steadily is less revealing overall.”

Mirror others

When you're going through a hard time, you can always look at the people around you and mirror their actions and reactions.

Adreinne suggests, “Imitate the body language of the people around you.

“Mirroring subtly aligns your nonverbal cues with theirs, making it less likely that others will notice discrepancies.”

However, she warns, “Do this carefully and practice because if you're clumsy with it, it can come across as inauthentic.”

Use props strategically

You can also use props to your advantage in these situations to distract those around you until the moment passes.

Adrienne says, “If you're in a difficult situation where you really need to hide your feelings, consider using props, such as dropping something and then having to pick it up.

'These can protect your eyes and emotions from prying eyes and give you time to self-regulate.'

Smile

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

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

“So if you're presented with something you really don't like but want to hide, think of something you really like, and a genuine smile will become a lot easier.”