From keeping glasses topped up, to making sure everyone has a chair around the dinner table, Christmas Day can be fraught with issues.
And now, the nation has spoken and officially ranked the hardest things to master on the biggest day of the year.
Claiming the top spot was working out what to buy awkward family members, closely followed by wrapping awkward shaped objects, and getting the timings of Christmas dinner spot-on.
Special mention goes to the 11% who said making sprouts taste nice was the biggest festive challenge, and the 12% who struggled the most with faking enthusiasm for gifts. We’ve all been there.
Food woes featured several times on the list, with making sure the turkey isn’t too dry, making good gravy, and producing perfect roasties all getting mentioned.
It seems Brits also struggle with spending time with certain family members, as people said it was hard not to put their foot in it with the in-laws and to not appear bored when talking to relatives.
Interestingly, social media has infiltrated Christmas Day too. Concerns such as making the tree and dinner table Instagrammable were also highlighted.
The research, commissioned by Tesco, is part of their #Standforjoy campaign, and in response to their findings, the supermarket has now appointed a panel of advisors to help the nation’s Christmas run smoothly.
The tongue-in-cheek panel features roles including ‘Chief Sip’ and ‘Master of Mains.’
The toughest things to master at Christmas
- Working out what to buy for family members
- Wrapping awkward shaped objects
- Getting the timings of the Christmas dinner spot-on
- Buying great presents
- Remembering all groceries that need to be bought
- Wrapping presents well
- The process of cooking Christmas dinner
- Untangling Christmas lights
- Doing the big food shop
- Having everything organised on time
- Not stressing when things go wrong
- Sticking to a present budget
- Making the right amount of food
- Faking enthusiasm for a gift you don’t like
- Making sure I looked pleased, whatever gift I am given
- Sticking to my food and drink budget
- Making a turkey that’s not too dry
- Making crispy roast potatoes
- Remembering to send cards to everyone
- Finding a place to hide presents
- Making good gravy
- Keeping surprises from loved ones
- Making sure I buy enough wrapping paper and tape
- Not appearing bored when talking to relatives
- Making conversation with everyone
- Serving a party food spread that everyone will like
- Deciding what to cook for Christmas meals
- Decorating the tree tastefully
- Keeping dinner table conversation on the right track
- Knowing where I can volunteer to support a charity or food bank over the festive season
- Getting the kids to stay in bed/go to sleep on Christmas Eve
- Having enough drinks (wine, champagne, cocktails etc.) supplies
- Having a drinks selection that caters to everyone’s tastes
- Catering to gluten free guests/ guests with other dietary requirements
- Using up all of the leftovers
- Buying enough batteries for all the new toys
- Remembering everyone’s dietary requirements
- Finding delicious meat-free alternatives
- Making Brussels sprouts taste nice
- Keeping the Christmas tree alive
- Stopping the dog chewing or opening all the presents
- Making my Christmas tree look ‘Instagrammable’
- Serving food that looks ‘Instagrammable’ / social media ready
- Buying the right drinks to pair with the dishes I am cooking
- Sitting the right guests next to each other at dinner
- Decorating the table for dinner
- Not putting my foot in it with the in-laws
- Having a good playlist for my Christmas party
- Finding out where I can donate food/gifts to charity
- Making a Christmas pudding
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MORE : How to shop savvy and enjoy a festive feast for less this Christmas
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