- Research reveals a staggering 1.5 years* is spent on Christmas preparation in our lifetime
- Over a quarter of us admit to finding Christmas more frustrating than feeling festive

With just 10 weeks to go until Christmas, research by European Christmas market tour operator Leger Holidays has suggested that for many it may no longer be the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas is the most important time of year for us Brits. Over half (57 per cent) of us claim they spend too much time getting organised for Christmas, with almost the same number (54 per cent) starting their preparation before December has even begun. The pressure associated with the festive period has also resulted in a quarter of people (25 per cent) admitting that they find Christmas stressful.

Buying presents was named as the most stressful Christmas task by over a third (35 per cent), with a further 15 per cent claiming that wrapping was, in fact, a bigger hassle, whilst tidying and preparing the house for guests came in third at 13 per cent.  But there's still room for that festive feeling with decorations and lights named as the biggest bringers of cheer by 26 per cent of people, followed by the sight of excited children at 21 per cent.

The research also revealed the battle of the sexes is still rife and unsurprisingly, women spend more time preparing for Christmas than men. Over half of women spend most of their time on Christmas Day cooking and cleaning, whilst men generally get to spend more time with family and friends and watching television. And almost a third (27 per cent) of women claim they are left to prepare everything on their own, with no one offering to help them at all.

Of course, Christmas is still a magical time for most, as 89 per cent of people still admit to getting caught up in the festive spirit, even more so for the 6 per cent who deliberately extend their holiday preparation over the whole year, beginning Christmas preparations in January!

Ian Henry, Managing Director at Leger Holidays, said: “It is remarkable to see the amount of time that people spend preparing for the festive period. It's important to note how much effort goes into making this time of year special, amongst the happy times spent with friends and family.

“Whilst preparing for Christmas can be a stressful time, we'd encourage people to take some time out and experience the real essence of the festive period - spending a few days away at a European Christmas market, buying special gifts, sampling food and drink and taking in the sights and sounds. They really are an experience to remember and what's more, we can take all the hassle out of booking and arrange everything for you to ensure you have a stress-free Christmas break.”  

Leger Holidays has recently announcedits new tours for 2016, including a collection of festive tours offering a magical experience at the Christmas markets in some of Europe's most beautiful cities.

For more information about Leger's Christmas market holidays visit http://www.leger.co.uk/  or call 0844 324 9256.

Fact Boxes (2015)

Magical Cologne Christmas Markets – three days starting from £179 per person

Join this four day tour and revel in the delights of Christmas in Germany. Cologne features five different festive market. There is plenty of entertainment on offer as Christmas approaches with a variety of Christmas concerts, nativity scene displays and a huge ice rink on Heumarkt.

PRICE: from £179 per person. Includes two nights' accommodation with continental breakfast. Travel by Executive coach from over 500 convenient regional joining points or upgrade to luxury Silver Service coach. Prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a standard room. Various dates available.

Christmas in Salzburg – seven days from £799 per person

Spend Christmas in the 'Sound of Music' city of Salzburg on a seven day tour. Enjoy a guided tour and explore this enchanting city, encircled by mountains and dominated by the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress, and squeeze in some last minute seasonal shopping at the charming Christmas markets. There is an optional excursion on Christmas Day for those that want to explore the snow-covered winter wonderland of Salzkammergut, before crossing the border into Bavaria on Boxing Day to discover the beautiful Lake Königsee.

PRICE: from £799 per person. Includes six nights' accommodation with continental breakfast, four evening meals (including dinner and concert at St. Peterskeller on Christmas Day and dinner and concert at the Fortress on Boxing Day). Travel by luxury Silver Service coach from over 500 convenient regional joining points. Prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a standard room.

Salzburg, Munich and Innsbruck Christmas Markets – seven days starting from £419 per person

Combine spectacular Alpine scenery with magical Christmas markets. Take a stroll down the Getreidegasse shopping street in Salzburg, explore the Christmas markets and relax with a warming glühwein. In Munich, there is the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Christkindlemarkt, discover the festive stalls and treat yourself to one of the country's famous sausages. A particular highlight of this trip is the optional excursion to Innsbruck where you can relax with a mulled wine against the stunning Alpine backdrop. The Innsbruck tour is included in the Silver Service and Luxuria coach packages.

PRICE: from £419 per person. Includes six nights' accommodation with continental breakfast and four evening meals. Travel by Executive coach from over 500 convenient regional joining points. Upgrade to luxury Silver Service coach or premium Luxuria coach available. Prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a standard room. Various dates available.

Medieval Amiens and Rouen Christmas Markets – four days from £289 per person

Join this four day tour to explore the magical Christmas markets on these two great cathedral cities. Rouen is famed as the city in which the English burned Joan of Arc at the stake in 1431. Its superbly preserved Old Town houses a charming market that showcases local delicacies such as waffles, pancakes and Calvados. Continue to Amiens and discover the colourful Christmas market that is situated along Rue des Trois Cailloux and has over 100 chalets offering all types of Christmas goodies and fayre.

PRICE: from £289 per person. Includes three nights' accommodation with continental breakfast. Travel by Executive coach from over 500 convenient regional joining points. Prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a standard room. Various dates available.

Ends

*based on average UK life expectancy of 81 years – The World Bank. Population figures based on the Office of National Statistics' 2014 estimated population figures for over 18s.

Research conducted on a nationally representative sample of 1019 people in August 2015.