Crossword Genius

Christmas parcel perhaps dispatched in advance? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

present

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'christmas' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'parcel perhaps dispatched in advance?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'dispatched' could be 'sent' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'sent' is found within the answer.
'in advance?' could be 'pre' (prefix meaning 'before') and 'pre' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for present that I've seen before include "host" , "show" , "Serpent (anag.)" , "offering" , "gift > offer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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