A new survey has revealed a list of those Christmas downers that threaten to bring out our inner Scrooge – and it’s not good news for the humble Brussels Sprout
Feeling fat, pretending to like gifts, and having to eat dry turkey are among people’s worst Christmas downers, a survey has revealed.
The festive period is meant to be a time for comfort and joy – but for most people it seems it’s more a time for headaches and stress.
Nearly 80 per cent of people say that they find Christmas stressful, with the biggest drags being thinking of what to buy loved ones, navigating busy shops and having to wrap too many gifts. Other Christmas downers include wasting too much food, talking politics round the dinner table and running out of Sellotape.
And it’s not good news for sprouts, which came in at number 20 on the list, with one in ten Brits voting the controversial vegetable as one of the biggest Christmas drags.
The research from plant-based food company, THIS, has revealed as many as two thirds feel relieved when Christmas Day is over, with half regularly complaining to friends and family about all the things they have to do to make the holiday go with a bang.
One in three people even say they have even been tempted to cancel Christmas because it was all too much. And almost three in ten of those polled confessed they have grumbled so much they have been accused of being a Christmas Scrooge.
Mark Cuddigan, CEO of THIS said: “Despite what the survey says, a Christmas plate isn’t complete without sprouts! The festive period is always a special time for family, friends and food – but for many the shopping, wrapping, Xmas tunes, and cooking can become overwhelming.”
The survey of 2,000 people found that 81 per cent think there is too much pressure to have a ‘perfect’ Christmas, with social media adding additional pressure to have a picture-perfect time.
The survey found that favourite ways to shake off the Christmas stress include going for a walk to get some fresh air, buying all the presents by December 1 and avoiding family members who annoy you.
And there is good news for festive vegetarians and vegans – 80 per cent of hosts think it is easier to provide a meat-free Christmas that it was five years ago.
Britain’s top festive drags
Thinking of what to buy people
Busy shops
Wrapping a million presents
Feeling fat
Pretending to like gifts
Endless Christmas music
Wasted food
People talking politics round the table
Endless tidying
Kids waking up at 4am
In-laws staying
Everyone uploading ‘Happy Christmas’ pics
Dry turkey
Feeling hungover
Getting indigestion
Running out of Sellotape
The work staff party
Christmas films
Packed trains
Sprouts
This research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by THIS™ and conducted by Perspectus Global during October 2024.
Drag Queen Kyran Thrax, who has teamed up with THIS, to stop Christmas from being a drag, comments: “If you’re bored of board games, fed up with pretending to love gifts, or your food just needs a little extra sparkle, then Mother Christmas has arrived to slay Christmas! I’m bringing all the glam to your plant-based feasts and festive fun – let’s make those roasts and sausages shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose! It’s time to ditch the old traditions and start some fabulous new ones!”