The thieves left a mess in every room of the house.

Burglars broke into a Hamilton home on Thursday morning, stealing Christmas presents from under the tree and helping themselves to chocolate and potato chips in the pantry.

But not only did the thieves steal gifts and food, they also stole two watches that belonged Paul Edmonds' father, Roy, who died two years ago.

The theft has left Edmonds, 53, feeling frustrated and vulnerable.

DOMINICO ZAPATA/FAIRFAX NZ. Christmas presents and food were among the items taken.

He has insurance for the items that were taken, but the watches can't be replaced.

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"I haven't told Mum yet about Dad's watches, so I'm going to have to give her a call [in the UK]," Edmonds said.

DOMINICO ZAPATA/FAIRFAX NZ. Paul Edmonds' Hamilton East home was ransacked in the early hours of Thursday morning.

"I'm not looking forward to that. She's going to be upset.

"I wore those watches when I went out for special occasions."

Edmonds was staying at his partner's home when the burglary happened and didn't find out about it until noon on Thursday.

He thinks the thieves may have broken in at 3.15am, because the electricity was switched off and a digitised clock in the house stopped at that time. They got into the three-bedroom house by smashing open the back door.

Aside from the watches, Edmonds also rues the loss of a cherry-red Dell Professional laptop, which contains photos and business documents. He said the laptop will be "useless" to anyone else as it's password-protected.

"They also stole a leather handbag I bought for my partner that cost more than $400," Edmonds said.

"They took a phone I bought for my son for Christmas, money from cards his aunty sent him. They took boxes of Scorched Almonds, Maltesers, salt and vinegar potato chips, roll-on deodorant ... they just made a mess. They ransacked the whole place, tipped it upside-down."

Police attended the Galloway Street home on Friday afternoon and dusted for fingerprints. Edmonds said the officer told him it was the third theft-related callout of the day.

Edmonds was also missing a large blue suitcase, which he thinks the thieves used to haul stolen goods down the road.

"There was a 42-inch TV in the room that was left behind, so I'm guessing they were on foot or didn't have a car," he said.

"What I would like to say to those responsible you won't be able to publish. But it's sad, it's dumb.

"It's not about the material things - I have insurance. It's the hassle of getting things fixed and replaced and about not feeling comfortable in your own home.

"What I would really like to put out there is, if you have any of these items, the watches or the laptop, please return them."

One watch has a white face with gold around the outside and a gold-plated elastic strap. The second watch also has a white face but with a leather strap.

Anyone who knows anything about these items or the burglary is asked to call Hamilton police on 07 858 6200. Anyone in possession of items stolen from the Galloway Street property in Hamilton East on Thursday can leave them at the Hamilton Police Station on Anzac Parade.