Brits are going all out this Christmas – and there’s a surprising buy on their shopping list
THE best ways to impress your guests this Christmas have been revealed – splashing out on fine wines, a fancy door wreath and even posh loo roll.
The study of 2,000 people set to enjoy Yuletide found others intend to buy pricey Christmas crackers for the table, make sure they have eco-friendly soaps and washing up liquid on display and buy in far more food than usual.
Setting out cutlery which only makes its way to the table once a year, lining tables with cloths and place settings and purchasing fluffy towels for the bathroom are other moves to give a good impression.
While 41 per cent admitted they’ll be going all out this year to create a Christmas which is special for everyone.
Gareth Lucy, for hygiene and health company Essity, which makes Cushelle and Velvet toilet tissue, said: “Typically we see lots of people splash out on more premium loo roll during the Christmas period in a bid to impress their guests.
“For those that are hosting family, the number one objective is to make sure everybody feels well and truly looked after, so splashing out on the top brands can be one way to serve up the best possible quality in every room of the house.”
The study also found 14 per cent of people will buy more branded products ahead of hosting Christmas, and 26 per cent will visit higher end shops when preparing for the event.
The living room is the area people worry most about (26 per cent), followed by the bathroom (12 per cent).
And the average host will worry about what their home looks like at least four days ahead of the occasion itself, cleaning for more than two hours to get things in tip top shape.
The research revealed how visitors should behave in someone else’s house, including leaving at a sociable hour, taking shoes off at the door and offering to do the washing up.
How to use the bathroom with good manners has also been tipped – with replacing a finished toilet roll (15 per cent) and leaving the toilet seat down after flushing (24 per cent) encouraged.
Other useful hacks include quickly using kitchen roll to wipe up spills and food crumbs, helping clear up plates, and making an effort to engage in good conversation.
It is important for a resounding 86 per cent of people that guests behave nicely when visiting the house – although 15 per cent have hosted someone with particularly bad manners.
Outstaying their welcome (37 per cent), being ungrateful (35 per cent) and leaving the toilet in a state (31 per cent) were among the top gripes.
TOP WAYS ADULTS INTEND TO HOST THIS YEAR
1. More food than usual
2. Having something for everyone – with food that everyone likes
3. Plentiful and good range of drinks that everyone likes
4. Best glasses – no plastic
5. Lining tables with cloths and place settings
6. Christmas decorations and lights in all the key rooms that will be used by visitors
7. Christmas fragrances/ candles in all rooms used by visitors
8. ‘Centrepieces’ at the dinner table
9. A proper Christmas cake
10. Beautiful front door, clean and with a gorgeous wreath
11. A fancy cheeseboard
12. Setting out cutlery which only makes its way to the table once a year
13. Posh chocolates for after dinner
14. Really posh Christmas crackers
15. A huge amazing tree
16. Invest in fine wines
17. Stockings for all
18. Quality branded toilet paper
19. Lighting a Christmas pudding – but make it BIG
20. Purchasing fluffy towels for the bathroom
21. Decorate/ paint rooms
22. Show stopping lights and decorations outside the house
23. Whipping out the cocktail making kit
24. Hotel style breakfast for anyone staying
25. Christmas jumpers for all
26. Expensive wrapping paper
27. Eco-friendly washing up liquid on display
28. Eco-friendly soaps on display
29. Christmas pyjamas for anyone staying
30. A high-end food hamper
While others would be upset with guests who let their children run riot (30 per cent), drank too much (27 per cent) – or helped themselves to belongings such as toilet roll (11 per cent).
Hosting for five guests is considered manageable by the average respondent questioned by OnePoll.
Ruth Gresty, spokesperson for Essity’s Cushelle brand said: “It’s hard not to become a Christmas scrooge when badly behaved guests come to stay – and seeing a messy bathroom is a sure way to lose your festive spirit, especially if you’ve gone all out to impress.
“Our message to anybody that is visiting friends and family over Christmas is to be courteous, kind and never leave any unwanted Christmas gifts in the bathroom.”
TOP WAYS GUESTS CAN IMPRESS
1. Compliment the food
2. Leave at a sociable hour
3. Use coasters for drinks
4. Make an effort to make good conversation
5. Take shoes off at the door
6. Leave the toilet seat down after flushing
7. Help clear up plates
8. Always bring a bottle of something
9. Drink modestly
10. Offer to do the washing up
11. Compliment the house/decorations
12. Open the front door to other guests if you’re caught up in the kitchen
13. Admire your Christmas tree
14. Replace a finished toilet roll
15. Wear socks rather than walking around in bare feet
16. Use kitchen rolls to wipe up spills and food crumbs
17. Tell you your house feels Christmassy
18. Dress nicely for the occasion
19. Help in the kitchen
20. Tell the host if something has run out – such as hand soap
21. Use the toilet brush to leave the toilet clean
22. Give you thank you gift
23. Raise a toast to you for your efforts
24. Be nice to / entertain the kids at the party a bit and make them feel included
25. Offer to top up people’s drinks
26. Brief children in advance on how to behave
27. Offer to help within the first half an hour
28. Give a compliment straight away
29. Bring presents for the kids
30. Arrange the hand towels nicely after use