One in five Brits start planning for next Christmas – on Boxing Day, according to research.
A study of 2,000 adults, who celebrate the festive season, found 17% will start discussing the following year’s plans while still celebrating.
This is down to 43% wanting to get organised and plan ahead – with 55% liking the control aspect, while 43% say it allows them to relax.
And 45% do so because they reckon they get the best value for money on whatever they need to buy for the big day.
With nearly two-thirds (60%) of those polled planning on hosting Christmas-related activities over the festive period this year, it’s clear being ahead of the game is key.
The study, by DFS, found Christmas shopping plans commence between 1st and 15th October – but presents aren’t actually bought until a month later, in the first two weeks of November.
And a fifth start planning their festive food menu in the first two weeks of December, with food preparation happening throughout the same month (17%).
And more than a quarter (27%) love to play host – although 23% admit they feel pressure to ensure all arrangements are completed a minimum of three weeks ahead of 25th December.
The research found that as well as planning food menus, buying presents, and who will host, adults will also make decisions on what scent their home should smell of, what time they need to start cooking on the big day, and where everyone will sit.
A spokesman for the furniture retailer said: “For many, planning arrangements are an important part of Christmas, and those who are hosting want to ensure they have everything they need in the house and that their home looks perfect for the occasion.
“For some, this might be the first Christmas in a few years that they’ve been able to invite people through the door, or even their first EVER, so it’s understandable that it’s an important and exciting time you want to plan for.”
The study also found 15% of respondents enjoy being the person that turns up to someone else’s home and gets “looked after”, without having to lift a finger.
More than half (51%) feel comfortable hosting a larger group of people in their home – but of those who don’t, this is because they don’t think their humble abode has enough space (47%).
In addition to thinking about where their guests will sit at the table and how much space they have, more than a quarter (26%) believe home décor plays an important part in their Christmas prep.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, revealed 44% of hosting adults are looking forward to inviting people into their home – although 29% are feeling stressed about the prospect.
Just over half (51%) of those polled reckon they take the lion’s share of planning and organising for the festive period, with just 36% saying their partner or significant other does.
When it comes to hosting within their family, 32% said they take it in turns – although 23% say someone other than themselves takes the bulk of the entertaining within their family.
It also emerged, despite a number of adults liking to get ahead of themselves and their festive planning, one in three prefer not to hear even a whisper of the “C” word until Halloween is done and dusted.
The spokesman for DFS added: “It feels like everyone wants to be considered to be a good host – whether that’s ensuring all the food prep is done ahead of the big day so you can entertain guests, or ensuring everyone has a comfortable place to put their feet up.
“Our study has shown that getting ready for the festive time of year is about so much more than food, drinks, and presents – ensuring everyone is having a good time, there is good entertainment, and a comfortable space is also important.”
TOP 20 THINGS ADULTS TRY AND ORGANISE BEFORE DECEMBER IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS DAY:
- How many presents they should buy for everyone
- Wrapping presents
- Where they will be going during the Christmas period
- What to cook on Christmas Day
- Who will attend the Christmas Day dinner
- What drinks they're buying
- What days they will be taking off work
- What time to have dinner on Christmas Day
- What to cook on other days during the Christmas period
- How many drinks they're buying
- Who should host Christmas Day dinner
- How many guests they will invite over the Christmas period
- Preparing food such as making a Christmas pudding, making a freezing gravy etc.
- What time they need to start cooking all the other food on Christmas Day
- What time they will put the meat in the oven on Christmas Day
- What movies they will watch during the Christmas period
- What games/entertainment they will have around the Christmas period
- What scent they will have in their home when guests are round such as lighting candles, diffusers etc.
- Where guests will sleep if they are staying over
- Where everyone will sit to eat on Christmas Day
