Forget the Maldives or Thailand – if Brits win the Lottery, their perfect Christmas would be in a country manor house (with a private chef and a perfectly laid table)

• The dream Christmas for Brits is a staycation, according to a survey
• READ MORE: British expats reveal if the grass really is greener on the other side

Forget exotic holidays to the likes of the Maldives and the Caribbean – if money was no object, an ideal Christmas for Britons would be in a country manor house.

That’s according to a survey that quizzed them on the elements that would make up their perfect Christmas day, producing a ranking with 24 entries.

When asked to choose between a tropical destination or a staycation, two-thirds (66 per cent) opted for the latter, with 26 per cent pinpointing a country manor house as the location of their festive dreams, putting this notion joint fourth on the list, alongside having Christmassy cocktails.

Almost one in three want a private chef to rustle up Christmas lunch (28 per cent, joint third), the same number would pay for someone to organise a perfectly laid table (28 per cent, joint third), while over a third (35 per cent, second) would love to wake up to a thick blanket of snow.

Of the 2,000 adults polled in the survey, which was commissioned by the National Lottery, 24 per cent said a private cinema screen to watch Christmas movies on was a priority, putting it sixth in the ranking.

Forget exotic holidays to the likes of the Maldives and the Caribbean – if money was no object, an ideal Christmas for Britons would be in a country manor house, according to a survey

Having people on hand to help throughout the day features prominently on the list, with help to serve and wash up lunch joint fifth (25 per cent), a hairstylist coming 13th (10 per cent), and a personal stylist placing 14th (eight per cent).

In fact, of those polled, 50 per cent of Brits said that the most luxurious thing would be not to have to do any cooking or cleaning at Christmas.

Also featured on the list, in joint seventh place, were an indoor swimming pool (20 per cent), fire pits (20 per cent), a nine-foot tree (20 per cent), and being near a pub with a roaring fire (20 per cent).

BRITS DREAM CHRISTMAS – IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT

 1. Turkey with all the trimmings (40 per cent)

2. Thick snow (35 per cent)

3= A private chef (28 per cent)

3= A perfectly laid table (28 per cent)

4= A country manor house (26 per cent)

4= Christmassy cocktails (26 per cent)

5= Staff to serve lunch and wash up afterwards (25 per cent)

5= A sea view (25 per cent)

6. Watching a Christmas film on a private cinema screen (24 per cent)

7= An indoor swimming pool (20 per cent)

7= A fire pit (20 per cent)

7= A nine-foot Christmas tree (20 per cent)

7= Being near a pub with a roaring fire (20 per cent) 

8= Fireworks in the evening (19 per cent)

8= Real champagne on ice (19 per cent)

8= More than one Christmas tree in the house (19 per cent)

9= Everyone dressing up (18 per cent)

9= Personalised Christmas stockings (18 per cent) 

10. A Scandinavian style hot tub (17 per cent)

11. Carol singers (15 per cent)

12. A lobster starter for Christmas lunch (12 per cent)

13. A hairstylist (10 per cent)

14= A butler (eight per cent)

14= A personal stylist (eight per cent)

Source: The National Lottery 

In joint eighth place were fireworks in the evening (19 per cent), real Champagne on ice (19 per cent) and having more than one Christmas tree in the house (19 per cent).

And Brits are very keen indeed on traditional festive food, with turkey and all the trimmings (40 per cent, first) topping their dream Christmas wish lists, despite cash being no object.

Susan Crossland, who won £1.2million on The National Lottery in 2008, still has a very traditional Christmas, despite her life-changing Lotto win.

Brits are very keen indeed on traditional festive food, with turkey and all the trimmings (40 per cent, first) topping their dream Christmas wish lists 

Susan said: ‘For me, Christmas is all about being at home with all my family – it might sound like a cliché but it couldn’t be more true.

‘We have a very traditional Christmas, complete with a full turkey dinner and all the trimmings for 15 of us.

‘Personally, I don’t think I could ever be away at Christmas. I absolutely love the build-up to the big day itself and try to get my three 7ft trees up as early as I can so that we can soak up the festive mood for as long as possible!’

Despite 71 per cent agreeing that spending time with loved ones is the most important thing during the festive period, 60 per cent admit that they would love to have an intimate Christmas with just their immediate family if they could.

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery, said: ‘I have met lots of winners over the years and whilst everyone’s Christmas traditions are different, spending it with family and friends is always the most important.’

Source: Read Full Article