manchester

christmas

Xmas shopping 'can cause relationship problems'

Shoppers quickly lose their festive spirit if they hit stores with a partner, research showed today.

The Christmas shopping experience can be stressful and even nightmarish, the survey for Relate found.

More than half the respondents (57%) admitted arguing with a partner or spouse while out searching for gifts.

Most women would rather go solo for the Christmas shopping trip, with only a quarter preferring to go with a partner.

By contrast, nearly half the men questioned named their girlfriend or wife as the perfect shopping companion.

Younger interviewees were more upbeat, with 41 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds saying that hitting the shops was enjoyable and put them in the mood for Christmas.

Relate counsellor Denise Knowles said: "Christmas can be a stressful time for couples and families, so don't worry if you find yourself bickering with your partner about who's going to write the gift tags."

She advised people to "keep communicating" with their partners over the festive period so that both parties would know what needed to be done.

Relate says relationships can be put under strain over Christmas.

It advises couples to agree a division of Christmas shopping and preparation so that one person does not feel too pressured.

Couples should also discuss budgets - and stick to them - to avoid financial strains, the relationship support agency says.

:: The TNS Omnibus survey of 1,497 people aged 16 to 64 was carried out in mid-November.

Do you find Xmas shopping puts a strain on your relationship? Have your say