The Dentist's Chair Or Christmas Shopping - You Decide!

New DealTime.co.uk Survey reveals that more Britons find Christmas shopping more stressful than visiting the dentist

Fewer people find a trip to the dentist stressful than they find Christmas shopping, according to MORI research released today. What's more, a day's work and looking after crying babies are also found to be less stressful than the annual trek around the shops. Three in ten people find Christmas shopping stressful and less than one in five look forward to shopping for gifts in the lead up to the festive season.

The survey of over 2000 adults nationwide, was commissioned by DealTime.co.uk, the world's leading comparison shopping service. It finds that young people are most likely to wish that they could do their shopping without leaving the house, indicating that they are likely to be most receptive to online shopping. However, while the older generation dislikes Christmas shopping most, they still prefer to visit the shops.

"This survey confirms what we have all known for a long time: Christmas shopping can be a nightmare," says Ehud Furman, managing director, DealTime UK. "More than three in ten people find Christmas shopping traumatic, compared to one quarter who fear the dentist's chair. Online shopping provides a welcome release from the crowds and has the added advantage of providing shoppers with convenience and the best price without sacrificing quality."

Crowded shops, long queues and parking problems are the most frequently cited reasons for the build up of anxiety. Doing the Christmas shopping before the December rush can ease the stress and it seems that shoppers learn with experience. Those aged 15 to 24 are the least likely to shop early to avoid the crowds (28%), while those aged 55+ are the most likely (40%). Not surprisingly, it is the shoppers who spend least at Christmas that shop for the shortest period.

It's a Girl Thing

More than twice as many women look forward to Christmas shopping than men (26% versus 11%). But most women seem to be in luck as the research finds that one third of men, compared to one quarter of women, are much more likely to spend over £100 on the person closest to them.

A Perfect Gift

Around two-thirds of the people surveyed would rather spend their time with friends and family, if someone would do their shopping for them. Deciding what to buy for family, friends and loved ones can add to the pressure. More than half of the public has difficulty choosing gifts and this adds to the stress. Thankfully, only one in 20 say that their partner never buys them what they want for Christmas.

If you want a tip on what to buy for your loved one this year, the survey finds that one the safest options is jewellery which is desired by one quarter of women. Men have more varied tastes with books, music and household or DIY appliances each being desired by at least one in ten.

Dealtime Christmas Shopping Survey topline results

Technical details

MORI Omnibus. A nationally representative sample of 2,008 British adults aged 15+ were interviewed face-to-face between 26-30 October 2000. Results are weighted to reflect national population profile.