NEWS FROM BUYAGIFT.COM

British Families Feel The Squeeze Of Summer Holidays

The Summer Holiday Costs Parents £9.5 Billion*, Says Buyagift.com Study

AS children break up for the school summer holidays tomorrow (Thursday), new research released by Buyagift.com shows Britain's parents spend a staggering £9.5 billion on entertaining their kids during the six-week break.

A study by the leading online gifting and experience website found most parents spend £1,232 on keeping their children entertained during the summer holiday.

Research by Buyagift.com of 1,000 parents found that by the time kids go back to school the average family will have spent; £472 on childcare, £388 on day trips in the UK and £372 on food and drink.

The survey found more parents than ever are shunning expensive, stressful family holidays in favour of UK day trips, with over a third of British parents deciding not to go on holiday at all this year.

Half of parents say they are put off by the cost, with research showing they spend £853 on entertaining the kids on a one week holiday - more than double the amount spent across the six-week break on one-day trips and activities. Almost one in five (17%) parents say the stress of going away puts them off while the same number say it's too difficult booking time off work, or co-ordinating work schedules with their other half.

The overwhelming majority of parents (89%) say they find day trips to the coast or theme parks the least stressful summer holiday family activity – more enjoyable than going abroad or staying at home cooped up with the kids. Almost one third of parents (29%) say holidays abroad too stressful while almost a quarter (24%) say staying at home all day drives them round the bend.

More than half of parents (53%) acknowledge they prefer day trips because they are cheaper, one in 10 (13%) say they are less stressful and almost a quarter of mums and dads (23%) think days out mean kids get to experience a wider variety of activities.

Dan Moutain, Buyagift.com CEO, said: "The summer holidays are an exciting time for children, but it's no surprise that they can instill an element of dread in parents as kids demand to be kept entertained throughout the course of the six weeks.  As well as being more cost-effective, activities and day trips provide more value and variety than the annual summer holiday and can be worked around parents' work schedules for minimal disruption.  At Buyagift.com we have a range of days out available from as little as £6.30, meaning there's something for everyone - no matter their budget - to enjoy throughout the long summer break."

For more information on gifts available on Buyagift.com please contact buyagift@frankpr.it 

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*£9.5 billion figure is based upon £1,232 (average spend of families over the six week holiday) x 7.7 million (number of families with dependent children based on the 2012 figures from Office for National Statistics) 

NEWS FROM HOTELS.COM

Here's Your Key Mr. Boomdong

43% of Brits say they would use a false name to check into a hotel

Hotels.com today reveals that 43% of Brits say they would give a fake name when checking into a hotel, with (15%) saying they would do so if they were to conduct an extra-marital affair.

When it comes to fake check in names, Brits proved themselves to be a very creative nation, with actual aliases used including Señor Vincenzo, Janey Be-Goode, John Philpott-Boomdonger and Scarlett.

Of those who admitted to using a fake name, the old classics proved the most popular with Smith being the most popular name, given by 16% of respondents. 

The survey of 2,000 respondents revealed that other reasons that might induce British holidaymakers to submit a fake name in addition to the reason of an illicit affair include "just for fun" (26%); avoiding others in the hotel (8%); wanting to feel like a celebrity (6%); and a desire to amuse the hotel staff (4%).

Laura Watts of Hotels.com said, "It seems that using a false name to check into a hotel room is more common than might otherwise be assumed.  It can be quite liberating to slip into a different character when on holiday; although it is worrying to see how many Brits might use this as a way to cover up misdemeanours."

Ten Quirkiest Aliases Given by Brits at Hotel Check In

	Fake Name Given
1	John Philpott-Boomdong
2	Farqhar-Smythe
3	Haile Selassie
4	Janey Be-Goode
5	Guuu
6	Mr. Sex Face
7	Michael Jordan
8	Señor Vincenzo
9	Scarlett
10	Mickey Mouse

NEWS FROM TABLE TABLE

UK Children Not In-Tuna With Their Food

Table Table reveals a lack of food knowledge from the country's kids

Almost two thirds (64%) of UK children have no idea that tuna is a fish, according to new research into family food and eating habits released today by Table Table. The study, conducted by the nation-wide pub restaurant brand reveals a startling lack of basic food knowledge from the country's youngsters. What's more, with research revealing that 90% of a child's food awareness comes from their mum and dad, it may come as a surprise that one in 12 (8%) parents admitted to never eating meals with their children.  

Of the 1,000 7 – 11 year olds surveyed on a variety of food-based questions, one in eight (13%) had no idea that beef comes from a cow, while one in 20 (5%) were adamant that tomato ketchup comes from the ground. Table Table, who also questioned 1,000 parents, highlighted just how little time families are spending dining together with almost one in 9 (11%) only eating together up to once a month.

The research has been commissioned to back a nation-wide search for Table Table's 'Family Tasting Teams', supported by celebrity TV personality and mum of two, Melanie Sykes. In a bid to educate and get families excited about dining together, five families will be chosen to become the restaurant's 'Family Tasting Teams', sampling Table Table's variety of food, reviewing new menus, receiving insight from top chefs and winning a year's worth of free meals.  

Melanie Sykes commented, 'I was shocked to see the results from Table Table's study and the lack of understanding from children on some very basic foodie questions. Findings showed that most of a child's food knowledge is taken from their parents so its imperative that we educate our little ones on what we are eating and one of the best ways to do this is by sitting down and spending time together over meals as much as possible. Table Table's 'Family Tasting Teams' search gives families a chance to spend time together, reviewing the restaurant's food and learning lots about it in the process.  

Jennifer Kilham, Marketing Manager at Table Table added, 'Alongside findings on food misconceptions, it was also interesting to see the limited amount of time families are spending eating together.  We at Table Table appreciate how tough it is to find time to spend together, but we also like to encourage families to try and sit down as a family, whether that is at home or in a restaurant.  We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for families by introducing 'Kids Eat Free' during the Summer Holidays giving children free breakfast, lunch and dinner and fun activity packs. We hope our 'Family Tasting Teams' will give families an opportunity to eat together, learn together and, most importantly, have fun together."

To be in with a chance to become one of Table Table's 'Family Tasting Teams', send your contact details to TableTable@FrankPR.it