Survey reveals Americans’ top hosting stressors for the holidays

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

PLANNING ON HOSTING AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? 

WELL IT MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT THREE IN FOUR AMERICANS ARE FEELING STRESSED ABOUT HOSTING GUESTS THIS YEAR.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF ARTICLE, THE SURVEY OF 2,000 US ADULTS REVEALED THAT WHILE MOST PEOPLE (59%) SAY THEY ENJOY PLAYING HOST, MANY ARE STILL FEELING STRESSED ABOUT IT.

THAT INCLUDES MAKING SURE EVERYONE ENJOYS THEMSELVES (32%), FIGURING OUT WHAT FOOD TO SERVE (30%) AND GETTING THINGS CLEAN BEFORE EVERYONE ARRIVES (28%).

MANY SAID THEY FELT LIKE THEY NEVER HAVE ENOUGH SEATING (18%), SPACE (18%) AND FOOD (14%) FOR GUESTS WHEN THEY ARRIVE.ON PEOPLE’S ‘WISH LIST’ FOR THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE HOSTING LESS STRESSFUL FOR THEM?

A BIGGER BUDGET (32%), A LARGER ROOM (30%), CONVENIENT FOOD AND DRINK OPTIONS (27%) AND MORE CHAIRS AND SEATING (23%).

TOP 9 HOSTING STRESSORS

• Making sure everyone enjoys themselves - 32%
• What food to serve - 30%
• Cleaning up in time for their arrival - 28%
• Having enough room for everyone - 21%
• Having activities to keep guests entertained - 18%
• What drinks to serve - 14%
• Making sure no one damages anything - 14%
• Seating arrangements - 9%
• Decorations - 7%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Article between October 6 and October 10, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).