Brace Yourself, Study Reveals the Most Stressful Day Before Christmas
As the festive season approaches, the excitement of Christmas often goes hand-in-hand with rising stress levels. From last-minute shopping to endless to-do lists and long travel days, it’s no wonder many find themselves overwhelmed during the holidays. But now, the most stressful pre-Christmas day has officially been identified, marking when festive preparations reach their peak and tensions are at an all-time high. So which day is it, and what exactly makes it the most stressful day before the 25th?
Nick Drewe, retail expert and founder of e-commerce platform Wethrift, has provided insight into what the most stressful day will entail, and how you can navigate it with your holiday spirit still intact.
“According to recent findings from courier service Gophr, festive panic will peak on December 20th this year, two days earlier than the previous year.
“Dubbed the ‘National Day of Christmas Panic, the pressure to finish the food shopping, buy gifts, and visit family intensifies.
“For starters, major supermarkets like Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, and Morrisons have already run out of Christmas delivery slots for the 20th. This means those who missed their chance to get their desired slot will have to be strategic about how they are going to get their festive food shop.
“Aim to complete your food shopping by mid-week to avoid the last-minute rush. Many supermarkets also extend their opening hours in the run-up to Christmas, so opt for early morning or late-night shopping when crowds are smaller and stock is more plentiful.
“Meanwhile, planned engineering works on National Rail services from the 21st are prompting people to travel home on the 20th, creating additional pressure and strain on public transport. So if you want to get home in time for Christmas, try to travel on the days running up to the 20th, to avoid any sold-out trains or overly busy services.
“Roads are also expected to be gridlocked, with millions of cars predicted to travel on what’s commonly referred to as ‘Frantic Friday.’
“Last year saw 16.1 million vehicles hit the roads on the final Friday before Christmas, so if you’re driving home, hit the road early in the morning or late at night to avoid the midday traffic surge. Rush hours are typically between 10 AM and 4 PM during Christmas.
“Gophr has anticipated a 56% spike in deliveries on the 20th, marking it as the last practical day for online orders before Christmas. Those who miss the deadline will have to venture out for in-person, last-minute shopping, which can be highly stressful.”
If you’re running out of time, choose expedited or next-day delivery options. While it may cost more, it ensures your gifts arrive on time. Or, if you have the time to go in-store, most retailers offer a click-and-collect service that lets you pick up your items at designated points, avoiding the risks of shipping delays.