Flat batteries, fake joy... top sources of our angst
Why we fail to be festive
THE festive season is a time of endless headaches… and not all of them hangovers.
From cooking Christmas dinner to unwanted presents, a new study suggests it is a tinseltopped minefield, albeit one with lots of fun, games, food and drink.
The survey of 2,000 British adults was commissioned to Turkey – there are only so many leftovers buffets one person can handle, or cooking challenges like the bird not fitting in the oven. Flat batteries – forgetting to buy them for kids’ toys or running out, with shops shut. Fake joy at being given bad presents when you got them something really nice. Storage – trying to fit your Christmas food order into the fridge. New Year’s Eve plans – working out something to do. Boxing Day bargains – seeing that really expensive gift you bought is now half price. Organised fun – being forced to play team games, such as charades. Re-gifting – receiving a present someone was obviously given the previous year. Christmas tree envy – when a neighbour’s is bigger, shapelier and better decorated. mark the launch of Celebrity Advice Bureau on UKTV’s W channel. And it found the biggest moan, for more than half of people, was about the turkey.
Troubles ranged from repetitive leftovers meals to finding the bird does not fit in the oven.
Here are the top 25 Christmas pickles, with a few personal gripes from our brilliant writers. Wi-fi issues – problems when staying with family/friends with slow or no wi-fi. Recycling – sorting out all the recycling into the proper bins on Boxing Day. Dress code – wear a Christmas jumper or the shirt that’s just been bought? Forgetting a present – trying to squeeze in last-minute shopping without anyone noticing you left it so late. Boring parties – staying, as it would be impolite to leave. Losing the TV remote – as the festive special starts. Neighbours’ seasonal displays - getting irked by tasteless exterior decorations. Christmas film debate – arguing about what to watch. Booze hoovers – visitors necking the most expensive drink, leaving their stuff. Trashing the presents – throwing one out with the rubbish by mistake. Age cut-off dilemma – when to stop giving extended family gifts. No-chimney issue – explaining to kids how Santa delivers presents. Seating plans – who is sitting next to smelly Uncle Ernest at Christmas dinner? The Queen’s Speech debate – when and whether to watch. Must one see it live? Mistletoe – enforced kissing. Awkward. Designated-driver arguments. Who is going to stay sober?