Sixty-five percent of holiday hosts are cleaning their house up to the second before their guests arrive, according to a new study.
The survey of 2,000 Americans who plan to host guests for the holidays found that hosting can be stressful when it comes to having enough time.
For many, time is often not on their side – 45% think they won’t have enough time to prepare for hosting guests this year.
According to the respondents, the source of stress is related to the tasks they have to perform in preparation.
The most time-consuming task, by far, is preparing meals (40%), followed by shopping for groceries and essentials (16%) and cleaning the kitchen (10%).
This stress has caused six in 10 to feel like they sometimes have to neglect tasks around their home when preparing for guests – like setting up self-care (44%), home improvement tasks (35%) or washing dishes ( 24%). rear burner.
Faced with these time constraints, a quarter of respondents consider hosting guests for the holidays to be “extremely” or “very” stressful (26%), especially worried about cleaning up before they arrive (55%) and more after (64%).
Commissioned by FINISH Jet Dry, a dishwasher and carried out by Talker Research, the study found that according to hosts, first impressions are important – especially when it comes to their cooking (69%), the way meals are presented (43%) and how shiny their glassware is (17%).
From beautiful tablescapes to sparkling platters, table settings matter.
Three-quarters of hosts also want to make guests look good with table settings (76%), while 68% care to impress them with plates and sparkling glasses.
Looking at guest accommodation this year, 44% will have guests staying with them and don’t feel shy about including them in the holiday preparations: 68% would ask guests to help prepare dinner while they are in their home, and another 60% would ask for help with cleaning.
The secret to being the perfect guest?
Hosts said they would appreciate help setting the dinner table (35%), washing dishes (26%) and taking out the trash (22%).
The number one worst thing a guest can do, according to hosts, is to invite someone else without letting them know (55%).
Keeping in line with good guest etiquette, be sure to thank your host (47%) and finish your meal (35%).
“We know that hosts are responsible for a lot – especially during the holidays. When you find the right products to take care of the little things, you free up time for what really matters: spending time with loved ones,” said Alexis Chatzialexiou, vice president of US marketing for FINISH at Reckitt.
Although hosts appreciate their guests’ help, more than a third admit they don’t trust them to clean the dishes as they normally would (35%).
Spending time at the sink can be unavoidable, however, as 72% find themselves having to do chores more often when guests are in their home – particularly the amount of time they spend cooking (63%), while washing dishes and glassware (63%) and wiping surfaces (55%).
The average American surveyed has about five complete sets of dishes in their home – including plates, cutlery and glassware – but half are likely to have more guests than they have sets of dishes (49%).
To keep enough dishes spinning for their guests, nearly a third of respondents estimate they would need to wash dishes at least three times a night (29%).
It’s all worth it in the end, as hosts love to pull out all the stops for their special guests: 61% are likely to have a formal dinner table set once the guests have finished.
To really make the experience, half of respondents have a set of better quality dishes specifically for guests that they don’t use for themselves.
To make a dinner party feel formal, hosts would also prepare multiple foods (58%) and drinks (41%) and serve different foods (38%) and drinks (39%) in different types of glassware.
“We believe that the first impression sets the tone for an unforgettable gathering,” said Chatzialexiou. “Enhance your tablescape and create an impressive setting for your guests with polished crockery, stemware and plates. This will ensure that your guests are not only wowed by the food, but the entire setting you’ve created by show the care and effort you put into your special event.”
PRIVATE JOBS/CLEANING ANNOUNCEMENTS WOULD ASK GUESTS FOR HELP WITH
- Setting the dinner table – 35%
- Washing dishes and glassware – 26%
- Waste removal/recycling – 22%
- Wiping surfaces – 20%
- Food preparation / cooking – 20%
IT IS CONTINUED IF GUESTS…
- Invite others without warning – 55%
- Don’t say “thank you” – 47%
- Junk food – 35%
- Let the sink run – 35%
- Don’t offer to help with the dishes – 20%
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who plan to host during the holiday season; the survey was commissioned by FINISH and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between November. 20 and November. 26, 2024.
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