The top 50 hardest things to master at Christmas – including making perfect Brussels sprouts

The hardest things to master at Christmas include untangling fairy lights, making delicious sprouts, faking enthusiasm for gifts and buying enough batteries.
While the elements most difficult to get right are working out what to buy for family members, wrapping awkwardly shaped objects – and getting the roast dinner timings spot-on.
Research of 2,000 adults who celebrate the holiday revealed making the right amount of food and not giving in to stress when things go wrong also made the top 50 list.
And 13 per cent reckon it’s impossible to stick to a budget when it comes to buying presents.
The research was commissioned by Tesco as part of its campaign to #Standforjoy this Christmas, which has appointed a panel of Advisors to ‘The Christmas Party’ – the tongue-in-cheek party featured in its festive advert – to help the nation’s festivities run smoothly.
Some of the advisory roles include a ‘Master of Mains’ – able to perfect a Christmas dinner, and a ‘Chief Sip’ who has a cocktail for everyone and will be filled by TV barman, Merlin Griffiths.
Alessandra Bellini, from the supermarket, said: “Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many, but that’s not to say that people couldn’t do with an extra little help now and then.
“Our research shows that many people want to make Christmas particularly special this year, but it also highlighted the demand for some guidance on some very specific festive topics.”
Tesco has appointed a panel of experts as Advisors to The Christmas Party, the tongue-in-cheek party featured in its festive advert, to help fix the nation’s niggles, as research shows one in six find it hard to master getting Christmas meal timings spot on.
Tips for smooth festivities
The study also found one in 10 adults struggle to make good gravy at Christmas, and the same amount find