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 | Cumbria Times A Voice of the Free Press |
P.ublished 22nd December 2023
family
45% Of Homes Prove Problematic For Father Christmas As They Don’t Have A Chimney
Image by Bianca Van Dijk from Pixabay
The company surveyed over 1,000 UK homeowners on their feelings towards fireplaces and just how they negotiate the tricky topic of Santa entering the home without a fireplace and chimney.
The results found that while 55% of those surveyed have a fireplace and chimney, 45% don’t. What’s more, 32% of those who stated it was either blocked or it was a fake purely for aesthetic purposes.
But while it may be the chosen method of entry for Father Christmas, today’s homeowners don’t see it as the firm festive favourite it used to be.
Just 29% of those who don’t have a fireplace wish they did, while only 27% believe that a real fireplace is an essential Christmas feature within the home.
Only 21% would prioritise a property with a fireplace if they were to move home again and just 13% said they would offer more for a home if it did boast a real fireplace.
So what should you tell your children if they ask you how Santa enters your home without a chimney and fireplace?
68% of those asked go with the broad but unbreakable excuse that he enters via magic.
16% said that he comes straight through the back door.
However, 10% are yet to think of an excuse, while a smaller proportion flirt with the laws of physics and say he either comes through a window (4%) or the letter box (2%).
Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented:
“As homes have evolved, so too has the way we heat them and the traditional fireplace is no longer the necessity it was before central heating became a mainstream feature.
"Of course, with more homes being built without fireplaces and chimneys, this can lead to some awkward questions from children as Christmas approaches, with many depictions of Santa showing him squeezing down the chimney.
"However, if they do still believe he delivers presents to every home, in a single night, using magical reindeer, then the addition of a little magically enabled breaking and entering shouldn’t let the cat out of the bag just yet.”
“As homes have evolved, so too has the way we heat them and the traditional fireplace is no longer the necessity it was before central heating became a mainstream feature.
"Of course, with more homes being built without fireplaces and chimneys, this can lead to some awkward questions from children as Christmas approaches, with many depictions of Santa showing him squeezing down the chimney.
"However, if they do still believe he delivers presents to every home, in a single night, using magical reindeer, then the addition of a little magically enabled breaking and entering shouldn’t let the cat out of the bag just yet.”
Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here.