She outstays her welcome, criticises the food, says your house could be cleaner and buys lousy presents.
Millions of Brits are bracing themselves for the arrival of the nation's most dreaded family visitor this Christmas - the Mother-in-Law.
Aunts, Grandmothers, Brothers and Fathers-in-Law all come high on the list of unwanted family on one of the most special days of the year - but no-one can touch the Mother-in-Law.
Almost one in five Brits (1) (more women than men) cringe at the prospect of their partner's Mother spending Christmas in their home. Mums-in-Law top
the least-wanted list because they:
- Stay too long
- Criticise the Christmas dinner
- Moan about the cleanliness of the home
- Fill the place with cigarette smoke
- Are always late
Travelodge surveyed 2,500 Brits to see how they cope with relatives that insist on staying with them over Christmas* - over 2 million UK adults have 10 or more relatives descending on their home for festive celebrations this year (2).
Almost one in three adults (3) find a family Christmas as intense as a job interview and over 2 million Brits start stressing about relatives coming to stay more than a month in advance (4).
Just over 40 per cent of Brits have such a bad time with the family they vow never to have relatives over again - yet always end up throwing their doors open the next year.
The research also revealed 69 per cent of adults feel obliged to visit relatives even if they don't want to, and 44 per cent admit they will spend more on relatives' presents if they're there to open them.
Guy Parsons, Chief Operating Officer, Travelodge said: "A big family Christmas sounds like a great idea but it can wreck relationships if you're all cramped under one roof 24/7."
After Mother-in-Laws, next on the least-wanted list come Aunts. Like Mother-in-Laws, Aunts tend to overstay their welcome, but they're also likely to treat your house like a hotel, moan about their presents and whinge about the sleeping arrangements.
BRITS' TOP TEN DREADED RELATIVES AND WHY
1. Mothers-in-Law stay too long
2. Aunts treat the house like a hotel
3. Brothers don't clean up after themselves
4. Fathers-in-Law are also untidy
5. Sisters buy bad presents
6. Grandmothers criticise the dinner
7. Mums moan about the cleanliness of your house
8. Uncles get really noisy
9. Dads drink too much - equalling Step-Mothers for that title
10. Nephews leave their rooms in a mess
However, Brits are experts at getting away from the relatives at Christmas - 49 per cent insist they will find a reason to leave the house. A walk, exercising the dog or a trip to the pub are the top excuses.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Jo Begbie
PR Manager
Travelodge
0121 521 6624
jo.begbie@travelodge.co.uk
* Travelodge research conducted by 72 point in Nov 2005 among 2,517 UK adults.
(1). Percentage is 18% of UK adults - equal to 8, 718, 912
(2). Actual figure is 2,325,024 or 4.8% of Brits. Statistics based on 48,438,000 UK adults according to the Office for National Statistics mid-2004 figures.
(3) Percentage is 28.5% of UK adults.
(4). Actual figure is 2,179,710 or 4.5% of Brits.
About Travelodge
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en-suite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities