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Festive Brits start early spring cleaning

More than four in five Britons are planning to revamp their home ahead of Christmas entertaining this year.

Christmas no longer just means anxiously awaiting the arrival of a judgemental Father Christmas: now we want to impress friends and family as well.

A poll by Alliance & Leicester found that two-thirds of Britons will invite friends and family over this holiday season and 82 per cent will revamp their house, spending on everything from new furniture to fancy loo roll.

In total Britons will splash out £1.6 billion on their homes, spending 70 million hours decorating.

"Christmas is a time for friends, family and general socialising and we want our homes to look their best when entertaining guests," said Stephen Leonard, director of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester.

"People want to feel house-proud and are putting in the time and effort to achieve house-perfection."

Nearly half of those surveyed plan to impress friends with specially bought luxury food and drink and 20 per cent will buy flowers, while one in five will go as far as redecorating.

House-proud men will spend more than women (£168 compared to £127) but are less willing to put in the practical effort, spending five hours 48 minutes sprucing up the house compared to women's six hours and 48 minutes.

For Christmas essentials, click here to see how much you could borrow with Lombard Direct.

11/12/2006 10:23:48

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