Poll of 2,000 UK adults who celebrate Christmas uncovered the nation’s top festive fumbles – from frozen turkeys to running out of wrapping paper
The most common Christmas ‘disasters’ include failing to defrost the turkey, forgetting someone from the present list, and running short of wrapping paper. A survey of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas revealed the nation’s biggest festive blunders, with the top 25 also including dropping the turkey while taking it out of the oven (25%).
Many also cited forgetting to pick up relatives (13%) and tripping the electricity due to excessive Christmas light displays (12%) as big blunders. Others miscalculated how many seats they would need around the dining table (11%), meanwhile 9% have stood in dismay as pets toppled the Christmas tree.
A spokesperson for the frontline worker discount service Blue Light Card, which commissioned the research to help members avoid common pitfalls, said: “Despite their high-pressure jobs, our members tell us that the smallest Christmas slip-ups can cause the biggest stress.”
The research also revealed that lumpy gravy (8%) and Yorkshire puddings that wouldn’t rise (5%) also featured on the list of typical Christmas calamities.
Yet despite the mayhem, 73% of those who’ve experienced a festive blunder said it was worthwhile for the memories, and 86% have laughed about it in the years that followed.
Nevertheless, forgotten Christmas food (27%), uninvited guests (25%) and failing to record Christmas TV specials were identified as the primary causes of household arguments.
As a consequence, many households now take preventative measures to sidestep festive fiascos – with 30% purchasing far more wrapping paper than they could possibly use. Meanwhile, 27% cram their fridges with enough nibbles to cater for a crowd far larger than anticipated.
Almost a quarter (23%) have stashed away emergency gifts as a backup plan, whilst 11% have enlisted neighbours to lend additional seating and tables.
Come the big day, batteries top the list of forgotten essentials (24%), with sticky tape coming second (14%), followed by tin foil (13%) and cranberry sauce (11%).
A spokesperson for Blue Light Card, which enables active members to save over £3,000 annually, commented: “This Christmas, we want to help our incredible community spend less time worrying about mishaps and more time enjoying the moments that really matter.”
TOP 25 CHRISTMAS DISASTERS
- Forgetting to defrost the turkey
- Dropping the turkey when taking it out of the oven
- Forgetting to buy a gift for someone important
- Running out of wrapping paper
- Forgetting batteries for the kids’ new toys
- Forgetting to pick up a relative
- Blowing a fuse due to too many Christmas lights or kitchen appliances
- Forgetting to buy tape for wrapping
- An unexpected or forgotten guest turning up
- Not having enough seats for everyone around the table
- Realising you’ve no foil for the turkey
- Dropping the Christmas pudding on the floor
- Pets pulling down the tree
- No corkscrew for the wine
- Losing Wi-Fi connection during a family video call
- Running out of bin bags for all the rubbish
- Lumpy gravy
- Forgetting to buy stuffing
- Running out of festive snacks before guests arrive
- Sleeping through the morning alarm
- Forgetting to buy Christmas crackers
- Dropping a tray of freshly baked mince pies
- The Yorkshire puddings not rising
- Not making enough pigs in blanket
- Forgetting to buy a Secret Santa gift
