Working out where to spend Christmas Day, choosing which family to visit and deciding how much money to spend on one another are the topics most likely to spark a festive argument, research has revealed. The study of 2,000 Brits found the driving factors that are most likely to cause friction at the holidays, with decisions around who will cook the turkey or be responsible for washing up all likely to build a black cloud.
Four in ten Brits confessed they usually have to bite their lip at the Christmas table, with a fifth saying a less than smooth history with the in-laws means there are always potential pitfalls when the whole clan is brought together.
The detailed insight into the stresses of a modern Christmas found the top twenty topics to cause arguments in the home over the holidays, and found working out how much to spend, having to go to work and agreeing what to watch on TV are hot topics for debate.
The research, which was commissioned by HomeAway.co.uk, the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, also found the decision of where to eat Christmas dinner is a difficult discussion for many couples, while the choice between a real or fake Christmas tree divides many.
Results showed that the average couple experiences at least four squabbles over the holiday season in the bid to enjoy a perfect Christmas.
Andy Cockburn, HomeAway UK Regional Director said:
“As much as we all look forward to Christmas, very few of us will be able to escape the odd family squabble or fallout.
“We’re all guilty of getting a little bit worked up about the domestic arrangements, and deciding who to visit when is something millions of families will go through.
“It’s important to make sure not to let the little disputes and stresses spoil what should be time spent enjoying and appreciating one another.
“If you’re catering for a lot of people and have guests staying overnight it’s bound to put pressure on you.”
Many claimed working out who gets to drive and who gets to drink can be a sore point at the holidays.
Things rarely go to plan where drink is involved – arguments because the other half had too many tipples was found to be all too common.
Even deciding who carves the turkey can be a sore point between the alpha males (and entitled cooks) of the group, while people picking at food before it’s ready or served at the table is likely to have voices raised.
A third of people know there are certain topics that can never be brought up around Christmas, with money and the partner’s family the topics most are keen to avoid.
But when it comes to priorities, being together as a family is what counts, with plenty of relaxation and good food deemed as the essentials.
Presents and television were also important, but being at home was interestingly not deemed crucial- in fact, over a third of Brits said Christmas was a good time to go away with friends and family.
Three in ten had experienced a Christmas away from home and enjoyed it.
The HomeAway.co.uk spokesman added:
“We’re often all moving so fast with our own routines that sometimes spending lots of time together in one place over the holidays can cause a bit of friction.
“A relaxing and restful Christmas break away from home is a brilliant way of ensuring the festivities don’t spark off any family fireworks.
“Holiday rentals are a great home-from-home option as they provide the perfect setting to spend quality time with your loved ones, as well as more space, privacy and amenities than a hotel room.”
TOP 20 CHRISTMAS ARGUMENTS
1. Where to spend Christmas Day
2. Which family to visit
3. How much to spend on other people
4. Who cooks the Christmas dinner
5. How much to spend on each other
6. Who does the washing up
7. You or your partner having to work too much over the holiday
8. Can’t agree what movie/TV to watch
9. Whether to go out for Christmas dinner or stay at home
10. What presents to buy for the kids
11. Who has to drive to a party/Christmas drinks
12. Whether to get a real or fake tree
13. Partner drinking too much
14. Who carves the turkey
15. Me or my partner picking at food before it’s ready
16. People arriving late on Christmas Day
17. Old arguments being brought up
18. My partner not helping out enough when we have to host people
19. Who decorates the tree
20. Having to sit in traffic while on the way to visit people
© Pryzmat | Stock Free Images &Dreamstime Stock Photos
