While the holiday season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. New research from online retailer Very unwraps the biggest Christmas Conundrums facing Brits this festive season and looks at how well prepared we are as a nation for the big day.
According to the survey of 2,000 Brits conducted by Very, a fifth of Brits are planning ahead this year, starting their festive prep between 4-11 months ahead of time, while more than three fifths of people think about Christmas in October.
A quarter of Brits are much less concerned about planning, instead choosing to leave their Christmas preparations to one month before the big day, while for almost 1-in-10, they are so relaxed about their Christmas planning that they leave it until less than a month, and 6% plan in the week leading up to Christmas day.
Adults in the North East begin their Christmas prep before any other Brits, starting 3.23 months ahead of time, compared to the average Brit who plans 2.76 months ahead of the big day. Following those in the North East are their South West and East Mids counterparts who begin planning just over three months prior to Christmas.
Those based in Yorkshire & the Humber are the least prepared, starting their planning 2.5 months in advance, followed by time-strapped Londoners, and those in the East of England.
London leads Christmas spending
Londoners are planning on spending more than £930 in preparation for Christmas this year, more than any other region in the country. The biggest spend Londoners will make is on food, expected to spend an average of £352 on ingredients for Christmas lunch, festive snacks and nibbles, and all their drinks (both alcoholic and not) for the festive period.
Those living in Greater London are also expected to spend around £306 on Christmas decorations for both inside and outside their homes, including a Christmas tree, door wreaths, and table decorations and centrepieces. Other expenses include board games (£72), Christmas crackers and party favours (£66) and tableware for serving guests (£72).
Following London in the big spender stakes are Northern Ireland and those in the North East. Christmas planning in Northern Ireland is expected to cost £800 on average, while in the North East, spend will average £768 across food, decorations and party supplies.
Those living in Yorkshire & the Humber are expected to spend the least on Christmas prep this year, an average of £562 in total. This includes an average spend of £157 on Christmas decorations, £261 on festive food and drinks, and £143 on things like craft supplies and tableware.
The Host with the Most (Worries)
Insights show that more than a third (39%) of Brits plan to host some sort of Christmas event for friends and family, whether that be Christmas day lunch, a Christmas Eve cocktail party, or a Boxing Day buffet.
Those aged 25-34 are the most likely to host a Christmas event this year, with 56% saying they are already planning for their event, followed by those aged 16-24 (47%) and 35-44s (43%), while over 55s are the least likely to host this year (30%).
But while hosting might sound like a nice offer, it also seems to come with certain worries. Eight of the top 10 Christmas conundrums experienced by Brits centre around food – whether it’s balancing cooking times (28%), cooking Christmas lunch (25%), getting the perfect crisp on their roast potatoes (23%), or simply not having enough food to feed everyone (23%).
Gifting is also a huge concern for Brits, with almost two in five (39%) saying that finding the perfect gifts for everyone is their biggest worry, and for more than a quarter (28%) their biggest worry is forgetting to buy a gift for someone.
More than half (54%) of those surveyed said they always buy back-up gifts for those unexpected guests, spending an average of around £63 on miscellaneous gifts. For almost a fifth (19%) it seems it’s not always the thought that counts as the biggest concern they have is that they might receive a disappointing gift themselves.
According to the research, the number one way to deal with a gift you’re not happy with, is to donate it to charity. More than a third (34%) of respondents admit to donating a Christmas gift they did not want, while 30% decided to grin and bear it, choosing to pretend to like their gift. More than a quarter (27%) say they have regifted the present, or simply sold it on a resale site (13%).
Of the findings, Jessica Myers, chief customer officer at The Very Group, which operates Very, comments: “We know that our customers love Christmas, however we understand that Christmas can have its manic moments! From finding the perfect gifts for loved ones to getting those roast potatoes just right, the pressure is on. That’s why we’re here to help make Christmas sparkle a little brighter. With our huge range of products and helpful inspiration, we’re making it easier than ever for everyone to enjoy the festive season – whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking forward to some well-earned rest.”
Very’s top tips for hosts this Christmas:
Plan Ahead: Whether it’s a Christmas dinner or finding the perfect gift, a little planning goes a long way. Make lists, check your ingredients, and think about timings.
Set the Scene: Create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests with festive music, cosy lighting, and comfy seating.
Variety and Thoughtfulness: Offer a range of food and drinks to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements. When it comes to gifts, think outside the box – a personalised gift or something that can be enjoyed together can be more meaningful than a generic item.
Delegate and Engage: Don’t be afraid to ask for help with party prep! And when hosting, be present and engaged with your guests, making sure everyone feels welcome and included.
Enjoy the Moment: Above all, remember to have fun! Christmas is a time for celebration and creating happy memories. Relax, enjoy the process, and savour the festive sparkle.
The research comes off the back of Very unveiling its Christmas Let’s Make It Sparkle campaign which brings back last year’s beloved flamingos – Kerry, Cherry and Terry – to showcase an array of the most anticipated and popular products for Christmas 2024. Developed in partnership with The Gate, Very’s campaign brings back the fun and flamboyant brand characters which proved to be a hit with customers last year.
