16 December 2016 New study reveals uniquely British festive headaches - and its not just about alcohol
Turkey troubles, flat batteries, re-gifting and tasteless neighbours are all likely to burst the seasonal bubble
Peace on earth and goodwill to all men and women ... just so long as they dont drink all the best booze
Magic of Christmas still triumphs despite festive stresses and strains
Research commissioned to mark the launch of Celebrity Advice Bureau on UKTVs entertainment channel W
It may be the most wonderful time of year, but Christmas is not without its own unique stresses and strains according to 87% of British adults who took part in a new study which reveals the top 25 uniquely British dilemmas and quirky irritations most likely to be faced over the festive period.
From cooking Christmas dinner to unwanted presents and arguments over the Queens speech, the study suggests that the festive season is a tinsel-topped minefield, albeit one with lots of fun and games and food and drink in-between.
The survey of 2,000 British adults was commissioned to mark the launch of Celebrity Advice Bureau on UKTVs entertainment channel W which premieres on Monday 19th December, 9pm. The new series sees a cast of celebrities attempt to solve every-day to downright bizarre dilemmas. The study results identify the most common festive problems with advice from comedian Ellie Taylor, one of the agony aunts on the show on how to avoid the festive fall-out. The study found that over half of Brits (52%) struggle with turkey-based troubles such as repetitive leftover turkey meals or finding the bird doesnt fit in the oven, followed by a third (34%) getting stuck without the batteries essential for starting up kids toys and 29% having to fake joy when being given bad presents.
The top 25 Christmas pickles - the seasonal irritations that most cause distress were identified as:
Turkey on repeat - there are only so many leftover buffets that one person can handle, or having cooking challenges like finding the bird doesnt fit in the oven (52%)
Flat Batteries - Forgetting to buy batteries or running out of batteries for the kids toys, when all the shops are closed (34%)
Fake joy - at being given bad presents when you bought them something really nice (29%)
Storage - trying to fit everything into the fridge when your Christmas food order arrives (29%)
New Years Eve plans - working out something to do on New Years Eve (28%)
Boxing Day bargains - Seeing that really expensive present you bought is now half price (28%)
Re-gifting - Receiving an obvious re-gift - spotting youve been re-gifted a present that someone was obviously given the previous year (25%)
Christmas tree envy - Getting the needle because a neighbours Christmas tree is bigger, shapelier and better decorated (25%)
Wi-Fi issues - Wi-Fi problems away from home - Staying with parents/friends/ in laws who have slow Wi-Fi or no Wi-Fi at all (22%)
Recycling - the post Xmas recycling headache - Sorting out all the recycling into the proper bins on Boxing Day (21%)
Dress code - What to wear? A Christmas jumper or the shirt thats just been bought? (15%)
Forgetting a present - Trying to squeeze in last-minute Christmas shopping without anyone noticing youve left it so late (14%)
Boring parties - Staying at a really boring Christmas party because it would be impolite to leave (14%)
Losing the TV remote control amidst all the festive debris - just as the big Christmas special is about to begin (12%)
Tasteless neighbours seasonal displays - getting irked by the neighbours ostentatious exterior decorations (12%)
The Christmas film debate - arguing about which film to watch on Christmas Day. (12%)
Booze hoovers - watching various festive visitors (aka neighbours and in-laws) scoff the most expensive booze, leaving the stuff they bought (12%)
Trashing the presents - throwing out a present amongst the trash by mistake (10%)
The age cut-off for gift-giving - the dilemma over when to stop giving presents to extended family members - age 16, 18 or 21? (10%)
Kids questions - The No-Chimney Conundrum - explaining to the kids how Santa delivers the presents when theres no chimney (or when the fire is lit if there is one) (9%)
Seating plans - The Christmas meal seating plan. Right, whos sitting next to grandma? (8%)
The Queens Speech debate - Debating when - and whether - to watch the Queens annual broadcast to the nation. Must one watch it live? (7%)
Mistletoe - enforced kissing - awkward... (7%)
Designated driver arguments - who is going to stay sober? (5%)
Comedian Ellie Taylor, who stars as a panellist on new series Celebrity Advice Bureau, says:
For many people, Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of year. But the festive period can also bring its own unique stresses and strains. But dont despair: there are solutions to many - if not all - of these issues.
Why not postpone the big family get together by a few days and save cash by buying the majority of your gifts in the sales - who doesnt love receiving polyester Santa Stop Here socks on December 28th? Also, remember you can always re-gift rubbish presents to any rubbish people plus the most important tip of all, avoid wasting your best booze on uninvited guests by serving exotic holiday liqueurs that have been languishing in the back of the cupboard - nothing gets a party started like some 110% proof Ouzo from Kavos circa 2002.
Celebrity Advice Bureau airs Monday 19th December-Wednesday 21st December at 9pm on W
For more information, please contact - Gem Pinkney, Publicist
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