A new study has revealed the cheeky reasons students rush home for Christmas including having a private “waiter” at their disposal.
The research by Virgin Trains Ticketing is accompanied by a video poll, which has discovered young adults, many of whom are students, will head back en-masse on 16 December.
Some of the most popular reasons for returning to the family home are a personal “waiter” and “free food” – but Gen Zers who feature in the video are also looking forward to “taking unlimited baths” and “not having to pay their own bills”.
The separate study, which included 1,251 participants, also revealed what parents can do (or not do) to keep their kids around for longer… if they want to.
According to the poll, nagging to help with chores is one of the top reasons youngsters flee after the festivities.
Falling out over board games and wanting their independence back are also popular reasons for ditching the family early.
Other triggers include more predictable reasons such as needing their own space once again, missing their partner or being told off for not “adulting”.
Within hours of filling their bellies with festive food, treats and booze on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the majority (79%) of students begin to get itchy feet and start to plot their subtle retreat back to their own lives, away from the family.
More than one in 10 young Brits (11%) say their goodbyes as early as 27 December, with many travelling back by train.
“The festive season is a busy time for travel, with people up and down the country returning home or visiting loved ones, so it’s no surprise that Gen Z are the first to head back home, looking to get some extra TLC, free food or their washing done,” said Mark Plowright from Virgin Trains Ticketing, a train booking platform that allows you to save money on fares for any train across Great Britain and which has no booking fees.
“Home comforts are clearly part of the lure, with students having had to fend for themselves for long periods of time while they were away at university.
“It appears parents and carers are set for a hectic time over Christmas once the grown-up kids get back and start raiding the fridge day and night.
“It is interesting to see that some do want to head back so quickly once the festivities are over and their bellies are full, but by that time they would’ve spent close to a fortnight enjoying quality time at home.”
The study of students and parents of students found most will finish the term on 15 December and travel home the following day.
More than half (51%) will make that journey by train, whilst 37% will travel by car.
Twelve per cent live so far away that they will board a plane to get back, while 11% will use a bus or coach.
Most parents can rest easy as travel costs are unlikely to leave a dent in the Bank of Mum and Dad this year, with 87% of young people paying their own fare.
Just 17% will have a parent or guardian pick up the bill.
Plowright added: “Virgin Trains Ticketing is the most rewarding train booking app and with more than three quarters admitting they are ready to head back to their own lives so quickly after Christmas Day, we’re giving a helping hand with £5 off their second train journey booked with us.”
Top 10 reasons Gen Z dash home for Christmas:
1. Being able to wind down and relax
2. Having dinner cooked for them
3. Christmas traditions
4. Christmas dinner
5. Seeing old friends
6. The fridge is always full
7. To see extended family
8. To be pampered by parents
9. To see their pets again
10. Parents do their laundry
Top 10 reasons for Gen Z wanting to leave the family home after Christmas:
1. Wanting their own space
2. Missing friends
3. Wanting their independence back
4. The fun bit was over
5. They had to share a bedroom
6. They were being nagged about helping with chores
7. Missing their partner
8. Being told off for not ‘adulting’ properly
9. Falling out over board games
10. No more presents to open
