Many people can’t wait to see their family again for the holiday season, but some want to avoid their in-laws so badly they would be willing to pay money if it meant they didn’t have to deal with them this year.
A new Yelp survey has revealed exactly how much Americans would be willing to fork over to control certain aspects of their holiday experience, with 2,250 dishing on their absolute priorities and dearest wishes this time around.
The average survey respondent would pay $158 to avoid sitting down with their annoying in-laws this festive season.
The joys of family: Some people would be willing to pay $158 to avoid sitting down with their annoying in-laws this festive season, a new survey has revealed (stock picture)
Some admitted they were having trouble getting into the holiday spirit, and would gladly hand over $259 to get their child-like festive spirit back.
With the stress of the holiday season rising, nearly one in five of those surveyed by Yelp said they would pay someone to take care of some or all their holiday chores.
Of those who said they would pay, 73 per cent would want them to clean their home, proving that to be the most frustrating task.
Overall, 69 per cent admitted to feeling a bit stressed about getting everything prepared in time for the holidays.
Nearly 57 per cent have even thought or said, ‘I can’t wait for the holiday season to be over.’
Six in ten would hire someone to decorate their home and cook their holiday meal from scratch.
Data: A new Yelp survey has revealed exactly how much Americans would be willing to fork over to control certain aspects of their holiday experience
Oh dear: More than half of Americans said that they have thought, ‘I can’t wait for the holiday season to be over’
Some find holiday shopping so cumbersome, they would be willing to pay $121 to have it all done for them.
Yet, people still care about whether their significant other will love their gift, and put a price tag of $134 on their beloved’s satisfaction, not including the price of the present.
When it comes to holiday meals, politics is always a tricky subject. Thus, respondents said they’d pay $152 to guarantee a perfectly harmonious holiday dinner with no mention of the topic.
But having to deal with controversial political viewpoints are not the only points of frustrations during the holiday season.
The stress of being well-prepared for the holidays has made many people feel like they’ve been forced to do all the hard work alone.
One in ten respondents said the people in their home are not helpful with the holiday chores, and 38 per cent feel like they must beg or nag for someone to help them.
Where are you Christmas? People would actually put a price on that festive feeling
Trump who? Political chat at the dinner table was another thing that many people would pay to avoid during the festive season
Nearly two thirds of respondents feel that they do most of the work during the holiday season—with gift shopping, buying food, and cooking making up most of their work.
In fact, 18 per cent have gotten into a debate with other people in their home about who does the brunt of the work.
About four in ten say some people only show up to help after all the hard work is over—35 per cent have even had to redo a task because someone did not do a good enough job.
The holidays bring so much stress to some people that it reminds them of another difficult time in their lives.
Six per cent are more stressed during the holiday season than they were during their divorce or marital separation.
‘From the family get-togethers to traveling to cleaning and even decorating, the holidays can be exhausting for many people,’ Yelp’s Home Editor Lauren Makk said.
‘Having access to professionals can be a great way to keep your sanity, remain calm and make it through the New Year. Let the professionals do what they do best during the holidays so you can spend time with loved ones and enjoy the season.’