Top festive feud-starters revealed - And some top tips on how to survive them
Christmas dinner’s finished, the family is comfortably full of festive food and drink, and now comes the age-old question – what do we watch on TV? Grandma wants the Queen’s speech, your niece wants the Dr Who Christmas special, and the kids are clamouring to watch the Snowman. Again.
Yes, deciding what to watch on television tops the nation’s list of argument starters over Christmas (for 57% of Brits). When it comes to festive flashpoints, the touchy subject of deciding who has control of the remote topped the poll ahead of debating with your partner where to spend Christmas (39%) and dealing with relatives who cheat at board games (39%). Having the big day ruined by family members being rude to each other (34%) or arguing over the chore of washing up afterwards (33%) are also among the top five Christmas catalysts.
But who are the main perpetrators, the ones we most dislike spending Christmas with? Unsurprisingly, the mother-in-law is disliked by almost one in six Brits (16%), whether because she can’t stand how you made the gravy, or feel you’re not treating the apple of her eye properly. Not far behind are our annoying cousins (14%) and our aunts and uncles (13% and 12% respectively).
According to the research by Campanile Hotels, men don’t really care where they spend Christmas Day. One in three say they’ll spend it based on where their partner decides (32%), compared to one in ten women (11%).
And when it comes to getting kids home for Christmas, parents be warned – the food is most important to the youth of today. One in eight 16 to 24 year-olds choose the Christmas venue based on who’s willing to cook (13%), almost twice as many as those twice their age.
Below are behavioural psychologist Mo Shapiro’s top tips on surviving those festive flashpoints:
1. If you feel forced to spend Christmas somewhere you don’t want to be, negotiate your destination for Boxing Day and that next year you will choose. You will have greater success if you plan in advance and everyone has plenty of time to get used to the idea.
2. Have someone take responsibility for games and activities, television and videos. Provide viewing options with different TVs and computers. You can take charge. Devise rotas and delegate.
3. It’s amazing how many friends and relatives come out of the woodwork when your house is the focus for Christmas. If you can’t stop people coming in, you can devise ways to get them out again. Send them for a walk, down the pub, or leave them at home while you go out. Look into good value hotels in your area and lessen the burden on your own home – Campanile has an offer on from December 1st to January 31st with 10,000 rooms available for £1.
4. Instead of focussing on who you don’t want to be with and know you will be, think of the others who are there that you like. Plan now to ensure you sit next to ‘friends’ and tell yourself you can enjoy the day. Think about the lovely times you can have the other 364 days of the year.
5. If you’re in charge of the day, make a list of everything that needs doing and start finding ‘volunteers’ to help you get through it. Forward planning reduces resentment and the feeling you’ve been left with all the washing up as usual. People like to feel useful and for some it’s a relief to get into the kitchen.
For more information visit campanile.com.
