Holiday Party Mishaps Report: When Festivities Go Off Script

From running into an ex to burning the ham, there are a lot of ways your holidays might not go according to plan this year. As many people juggle packed social calendars during the holiday season, our new survey found that 75% of Americans have witnessed or experienced a holiday party mishap at one point or another. 

While holiday parties introduce unique stressors to an already hectic season, that doesn’t mean you should celebrate alone. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of people either say the joy of holiday celebrations outweighs the stress or that their celebrations are equal parts stress and joy. 

You may be unable to avoid your grouchy great-aunt during the holiday season, but you may be able to regain your time — and peace of mind – by renting a venue for your event. Outsourcing your biggest holiday party headaches, like cleaning up and prep, is a relatively easy way to keep holiday parties something you look forward to, instead of dread. 

Peerspace’s survey breaks down how Americans feel about hectic holiday parties and how they find the joy in the season, despite the chaos.   

Holiday mishaps are nearly universal

Setbacks during the holiday season are as common as kissing under mistletoe and overloading on desserts. Three in 4 (75%) Americans have witnessed or experienced a holiday celebration mishap. 

Specifically, 47% of people have witnessed or experienced family drama or arguments during the holidays, making it the most common seasonal issue. Other common occurrences include getting way too drunk (40%); food that’s either burnt, not cooked correctly or that doesn’t taste good (33%); awkward gift-giving moments (30%); and political disputes (28%):

The holidays are a cause for celebration, not conflict. But when you’re fitting both your in-laws and your squabbling siblings around a dinner table, all while managing your loved ones’ high expectations and travel fatigue, it’s only natural something might go wrong. If you think you might need to break up an argument this holiday season, know you’re definitely not alone.

Hosting stress peaks during setup and cleanup

Tucking into a holiday meal is many people’s favorite part of the season. They usually find less joy in cleaning up afterwards. More than 2 in 5 (43%) people say cleaning up after hosting a holiday gathering for friends, family, or coworkers is the most stressful part of hosting a holiday gathering — more than any other holiday stressor. Preparing food and drinks (40%) follows closely behind. 

Hosting requires a lot of spinning plates, and it can take an emotional toll. Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) of people say worrying that everyone will have a good time is the most stressful part of hosting a holiday gathering. 

For some people, the simplest option is just to not host at all: 22% of people don’t host holiday gatherings.

Most partygoers and hosts feel excited, even under pressure

Problems may occur, but for many people, holiday celebrations are still a source of joy. Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) people say they feel excited when thinking about upcoming holiday celebrations, and 31% say they feel nostalgic. 

Still, some people say they feel stressed (29%), anxious (20%), dread (12%), or apathetic (7%).

A significant percentage (19%) of people don’t have plans to attend any holiday celebration this year, which could be due to a number of factors like high costs, complicated logistics, or social overload. 

Overall, after the dishes are cleared and the tree is put up, 71% of people say they still find joy in holiday gatherings. Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) say the joy of holiday celebrations outweighs the stress and 33% say they find holiday celebrations to be equal parts stressful and joyful. 

Only 14% of people say the stress of holiday gatherings outweighs the joy.

How Peerspace helps keep holiday hosting on track

For many Americans, the mishaps and chaos during holiday parties is well worth it to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. 

Many of the most common stressors, like hosting a Friendsmas party in your small apartment or the hours of cleanup, are also the easiest to outsource. With a little planning and outside help, you can turn this year’s holiday parties into an event to remember, not stress over.

Peerspace is your planning partner this holiday season, offering access to hundreds of unique, local holiday party venues that will be the perfect backdrop for your festive, themed gathering or big New Year’s bash. Choose the venue that meets your budget and schedule, and let Peerspace connect you with the space of your dreams.

Methodology

The survey was conducted by YouGov for Peerspace. The survey was fielded on November 20, 2025. The results are based on 1,080 completed surveys. Data is weighted, and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.