Two-thirds of households admit to having arguments at the Christmas dinner table

Eva Osborne

Two-thirds of households admit to having arguments around the Christmas dinner table, according to research from Re-Turn.

Tidying up is the biggest trigger for arguments over the festive season, at 26 per cent.

Timing the meal is another source of tension (13 per cent), while disagreements also arise over cracker pulls (seven per cent), seating plans (six per cent), and someone taking too much stuffing (six per cent).

When it comes to who starts the arguments, siblings are most likely (12 per cent), followed by children (10 per cent), and partners (nine per cent).

Beyond the table, Christmas Day rows are most often prompted by cleaning (15 per cent) or cooking (11 per cent).

Three-quarters of families have festive debates each year about the "right way" to do things, from decorations to presents.

Meanwhile, one in five people admit they have avoided spending Christmas with their in-laws because they "do things differently".

A third (32 per cent) say choosing what to watch on TV sparks discussion, while a quarter (25 per cent) disagree about when to open presents.