NEWS COPY
The size of a Christmas tree, peeling wallpaper and household clutter are among the imperfections guests will notice when visiting over the holidays.
A study of 2,000 homeowners and renters found visitors have an eagle-eye when it comes to anything ‘wrong’ with dwellings, with the temperature of the home and table settings likely to be picked up on.
As a result, more than half pull out all the stops to give their home a thorough fix up, including making small home improvements to ‘wow’ guests over the festive period.
A fifth are even planning on giving their walls a fresh coat of paint and an eighth will replace light bulbs and install extra storage in order to impress anyone coming over.
The study, commissioned by B&Q, also found respondents believe their mother-in-law will judge their home the most.
Despite this, friends are the guests hosts want to ‘impress’ the most.
Kam Dhillon, from B&Q, said: “Hosting friends and family is one of the most magical parts of Christmas, which is why it’s important to have a home you’re proud to show off during the festive season.
"We know people will have lots to do over Christmas, but there are plenty of quick and easy ways to sort out those festive fix ups and have your home looking it's best for whatever you have planned
"With Christmas just around the corner, there is no better time than the present to sort those little unfinished fix-ups, and get your home for the festivities.
"It's easier than you think to get your home ready for Christmas, from the festive décor to that last minute replacement for the toilet seat - B&Q has hosts covered this holiday season.”
The study also found an eighth of those polled pick up on the amount of food served or judge the welcoming wreath on the front door when they are a guest in someone's home over the Christmas period.
Living rooms are most likely to come under scrutiny from guests, followed by the bathroom and kitchen.
But some of the biggest priorities for hosts around the home in the lead up to the big day including hanging curtains, installing insulation and putting up wallpaper.
An average of three hours will be spent tidying the house and two hours decorating and fixing it up - including hanging photos and painting walls.
More than a sixth even admitted to beginning to think about home improvements as early as October, in comparison to just four weeks prepping their festive decorations.
It also emerged Brits expect to visit seven different homes over the festive period and more than half confessed they have taken inspiration from other people’s abodes.
A further three in five of those polled, via OnePoll, also admitted to making more of an effort to prepare their house before Christmas than they do for a traditional ‘spring clean’.
Top imperfections guests notice at Christmas:
1. Christmas decorations
2. The temperature in home
3. Clutter
4. Broken toilet seat
5. Nice table setting
6. The size of the Christmas tree
7. Clean bathroom
8. If there’s enough food
9. Welcoming wreath on the door
10. No lock on the bathroom door
ENDS
