You've got crowded stores[1] and unexpected guests and social-media-obsessed college kids[2] , and yet none of those top the list of things some 2,000 Brits said that bug them the most about the holidays in a recent survey conducted by the Worcester, Bosch Group[3] .


Instead, the survey found that visiting friends and family at a cold house topped their list of pet peeves, though only 20 percent of respondents said they would actually complain about it to a host. "The rest would grin and bear it (30.8%), make a joke out of it (16%), keep their coat on (15.7%)," the survey reveals.


Here's what other holiday hassles annoy British people the most:



  1. A cold house

  2. Missing favorite TV

  3. Screaming children

  4. Having to take our shoes off

  5. Awkward conversations


In a similar survey among Americans, appliance brand Kenmore found that not being able to find a unique gift for their host is one of the things that stress holiday guests out the most. According to the Kenmore survey[4] , 85 percent of Americans have struggled to find something suitable and often arrive with no gift at all.


Check out more of what both surveys found (including the things Brits argue with friends and family over the most[5] ) and tell us: What's your biggest holiday pet peeve?


Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter[6] , Facebook[7] , Pinterest[8] , Tumblr[9] and Instagram[10] .


**


Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)



Also on HuffPost:




Loading Slideshow...



  • Time Gives You Choices


    DO begin the initial process at least four months in advance. It's never too early to start planning. The calendars of event planners, hotels, caterers, entertainers, and other vendors can get booked quickly.




  • Represent You


    DON'T lose your personality. If you don't like pastels, don't choose them in your color palette. Think about what you wear normally, the shades in your home, what you are you drawn to naturally. You are comfortable with these colors already, so start here.




  • Create A Mood


    DO think about natural lighting. Sunlight during the day or candlelight at night creates an ambient glow that will give your party a welcoming appearance. Candlelight is very effective in setting the tone and creating the mood for your party. And everyone looks great in candlelight.




  • Ignite The Senses


    DO think "smell." It is an often overlooked sense, but a very powerful one. A planted herb garden or arrangements of fresh peonies are sometimes all it takes to transform the scent of your party.




  • Think About The Experience


    DO stay in character by creating seamless transitions between rooms. It can be as easy as a candle in the bathroom and a lantern at the front door. There should be a natural flow between the common areas of your party.




  • Take A Seat


    DON'T make guests stand. Present a variety of comfortable seating options that are close enough for conversation yet separated enough to create "landing areas" for guests to interact with one another and maintain a flow throughout the party.




  • Mess-Free Bites


    DON'T get your fingers dirty. Give guests the gift of napkin-free food by creating hors d'oeuvres that can be enjoyed in one bite




  • Make Introductions


    DO be sure to take the time to walk around and greet everyone. Also be sure to introduce everyone to each other. It will make the atmosphere more welcoming and comfortable and will help some people to "break the ice."




  • Accommodate Yourself And Your Guests


    DO make it easy for guests to feel comfortable. Provide them with the necessities -- storage for their bags and coats, coasters for their drinks, cozy seating with their friends.




  • Smile


    DO take the time to relax, smile and enjoy your party. You've put a lot of effort into providing your friends and family with a good time. Remember that guests feed off of your mood, so best to be calm, cool and collected and not pre-occupied, rushed, or anxious.