William Hanson has offered an essential guide to proper behaviour over the festive season, including the topics that are considered taboo
Tis the season to eat, drink and make merry with a traditional Yule log. But for many Brits, an unsavoury Yule bog is the silent spectre which threatens to blight even the most fabulous feast.
Etiquette expert William Hanson has stepped in to help with an essential guide to proper behaviour over the festive season, including the topics that are seen as a little taboo.
He said: “Christmas is all about having your loved ones back home, but we all know the stress that can come when you have so many people under one roof. No matter how close you are to your family, remember that there are others around you, and mess can soon get out of control.”
New research conducted by toilet care brand Bloo found that 25% of people dread hosting over Christmas because of lengthy loo queues, while a fifth confess that someone leaving the toilet in a “bad state” is their biggest pet peeve.
Fear that other guests will think their house is less than immaculate means hosts spend an average of 74 minutes tending the toilet over the festive season.
And almost half (49%) believe that a regularly cleaned, freshly scented loo isn’t just good hygiene, but an absolute must.
William advises taking extra care to clean up after using the facilities, as guests and hosts may be less tolerant of bad bathroom habits than you or the people you share a house with. Putting the toilet seat down is an essential, as is keeping things as fresh as possible with hard-hitting and effective cleaning products.
Alice Cavey, junior brand manager at Bloo, said: “The festive season can be a wonderful but also challenging time for hosts, with the bathroom often bearing the brunt of extra guests. Our range of rim and toilet blocks offers a simple yet effective solution to one of the biggest festive frustrations: a potentially clogged and messy toilet.”
William Hanson’s Top Hosting Tips
Clean up after yourself!
No matter how close you are to your family, remember that there are others around you, and mess can soon get out of control.
Respect personal space
If you’re visiting family for a few days, it’s easy to get on top of each other, and no one wants that. Some delicately manoeuvred time-outs in a private room will help keep you and your loved ones sane.
Lavatory etiquette
Ensure you always leave the lid down after you’ve used it and maintain sufficient ventilation. My ultimate host hack is that your loo should always be Bloo. Bloo Power Active Rim Blocks cleans with every flush, so you don’t have to – giving you time to entertain and be fabulous. And goodness knows one of the best gifts you can give your guests is a clean rim and spotless bottom this Christmas.
Music Matters
Rarely do we get families who share an identical taste in music. While the ultimate jurisdiction lies with the host, care should be taken to ensure everyone gets a turn to play their music. This may mean that Granny has to turn down her hearing aids during Slipknot while your nephew Zach rolls his eyes during carols from King’s, but if it ensures harmony at Christmas, we’re all for it.
Go with the flow this Christmas
The only thing that needs to stick to an exact schedule is the turkey. Even The King can be watched on catch-up (sorry, Your Majesty). Go easy with forced, timetabled fun and when it comes to the day itself, read the room and see how people are feeling.
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