With the festive rush in full swing and Christmas Day edging closer, the pressure of hosting is officially kicking in. According to new research from Sainsbury’s, more than a quarter of Brits (27%) say their stress levels peak during Christmas week — and nearly half (47%) feel they’re expected to deliver the perfect Christmas.
To help ease that pressure, Sainsbury’s has partnered with former England rugby star and podcast host Joe Marler to launch “Couch to Christmas Day”, a three-part audio guide designed to help the nation get match-fit for hosting.
The series, available now on Spotify (Listen Here), blends Marler’s sporting discipline with the organised chaos of Christmas, giving listeners a light-hearted but genuinely useful 13-minute training plan in each episode. Think of it as a festive bootcamp — but with fewer burpees and more Pigs in Blankets.
Tackling the biggest Christmas hosting stressors
Sainsbury’s research highlights what sends hosts into panic mode:
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53% worry about getting food timings right
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49% stress about pleasing every guest
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47% say the day’s overall chaos overwhelms them
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31% admit hosting makes them feel completely flustered
Episode one of the guide dives into early prep — including food freezing hacks, creating a “Master List”, and nailing the all-important “big shop”. It’s timely, too: 61% of Brits confess they’ve forgotten essential Christmas items, from crackers and condiments to the ever-important Pigs in Blankets.
Episode two turns the focus toward pre-Christmas gatherings, covering everything from party food to setting the right vibe. The final episode is all about Christmas Day itself — from mastering roast timings to those finishing touches that turn a good Christmas into a great one.
Helping hosts reclaim time with loved ones
Despite half of the country saying their favourite part of hosting is bringing the family together, 44% admit they often miss out because they’re stuck in the kitchen. With over half spending up to four hours cooking, it’s no surprise that 62% feel relieved when the day is over.
Marler’s guide takes this head-on, offering quick-prep tips, teamwork tactics (“utilising the squad”), and smart hacks to help hosts reclaim valuable time with family.
Joe Marler says:
“My family loves hosting at Christmas, and while there’s always a forgotten detail or gravy mishap, that’s part of the magic. I’ve teamed up with Sainsbury’s to help the nation get their game plan together early — simple hacks to stay relaxed and enjoy the brilliantly chaotic reality of Christmas.”
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference makes hosting easier
Sainsbury’s Director of Product & Innovation James Campbell adds that the supermarket’s Taste the Difference festive range is curated to take the hassle out of hosting so people can spend more time enjoying the day. From premium centrepieces to indulgent desserts and festive drinks, the line-up aims to make Christmas cooking as effortless as possible.
Where to listen
All three episodes of “Couch to Christmas Day” are now streaming.
