*  34% of people admitted that decorating disputes are their biggest festive stress, causing the most arguments in the run-up to Christmas.
* Gift-giving (26%) also ranks high in the list of common Christmas tiffs, followed by disputes over finances during the notoriously costly festive season (18%).
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many couples, it’s a battlefield – and the war is being waged over tinsel, baubles, and Christmas trees. 

A new poll by extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com has revealed that the number one cause of arguments in the run-up to Christmas is not money or family, but holiday decorations. A staggering 34% of people admitted that decorating disputes are their biggest festive stress, leaving finances and family squabbles trailing behind.

“I never thought hanging fairy lights could ruin a relationship, but here we are,” joked one anonymous respondent. “I wanted a classy white-and-gold theme, but my partner insisted on his tacky, blinking rainbow lights. It turned into a full-blown argument.”

Even the process of decorating together can trigger conflicts. Nearly half of those who argued over decorations (48%) said they fought because one partner didn’t contribute enough to the effort or didn’t take it seriously. 

The second most common culprit for conflict over Christmas is gift-giving. 26% of people admitted that shopping for presents had led to heated arguments. Whether it’s deciding how much to spend, picking the perfect gift, or one partner shouldering all the shopping responsibilities, the process leaves many couples feeling more frazzled than festive.

18% of people say money is the main cause of arguments in the lead up to Christmas. The costs of decorations, parties, and travel quickly add up, and disagreements about budgets put a strain on wallets – and relationships. 

Arguments over cooking at Christmas (11%), and visiting relatives (6%) also featured in the list.

Commenting on the results of the poll, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, said, “Bickering about decorations is almost as much a Christmas tradition as mince pies and bad cracker jokes. Every couple has that one yearly debate – whether it’s about a garish light-up Santa or how much glitter is too much.”

In many cases, however, there’s a deeper meaning to these ‘tinsel tiffs’, “For some, Christmas decorations are more than just ornaments – they’re tied to personal traditions, childhood memories, and even identity,” Leoni explains. “For many couples, these arguments aren’t just about the decorations themselves but about feeling heard and respected. If one partner’s vision keeps getting dismissed, it can lead to feelings of resentment.”

Results
Most common cause of arguments over the festive period

Christmas decorations – 34%
Gift-giving – 26%
Financial costs – 18%
Christmas cooking – 11%
Visiting relatives – 6%
Other – 5%

* A 38-year-old bride-to-be has been leading a steamy double life after joining the extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com just four months ago.

* Her fiancé, due to marry her next year, is oblivious to her infidelity as he lives and works in a different town.

* She claims the thrill of infidelity is “freeing” and sees it as part of who she truly is.

In a shocking revelation, a seemingly ordinary 38-year-old woman, due to be married next September, has been leading a double life. Engaged and outwardly committed, Chloe* plunged into the depths of extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com just four months ago, and since then, her love life has become anything but ordinary – whilst her fiancé remains entirely in the dark.

It all started with a casual scroll through her news feed. “I never thought I’d be the type to do this,” she confesses. “I joined IllicitEncounters on a whim one Thursday night after seeing an article in my news feed. By midnight, I was hooked. By Saturday, I’d already met someone.”

Her date? A married man from her area, “He told me it was his birthday, his wife was away at a hen do, and he’d rather see me than his friends,” she recalls. Their evening began with flirtation over drinks and ended in the backseat of his wife’s brand-new white Range Rover. “It was electric,” she admits. 

Despite being engaged, she’s unapologetic about her motives. “I have a very high sex drive, my fiancé works away, and I crave the thrill of it all,” she explains. “For me, variety really is the spice of life.”

When her fiancé is out of town during the week, she fills the void with discreet meetups. Since joining IllicitEncounters.com four months ago, she’s been with at least four men, each encounter offering something new and exciting – one lover being a well-known circuit racing driver who regularly features on TV.

Her fiancé is blissfully unaware of her secret escapades, though this isn’t her first brush with infidelity. “Years ago, I used a similar site before we got together, and he knows about this,” she admits. “But he doesn’t know that I’m having an affair now.”

Despite this hidden part of her life, she confesses, “I love my fiancé, but there’s a part of me that can’t give up this lifestyle. It’s thrilling, it’s freeing, and honestly, it feels like me.”

* Name has been changed

* Rising inflation is creating tension in relationships, pushing people to seek emotional or romantic escapes.

* A 22% surge in membership for extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com followed the latest inflation hike announcement – a trend which was also seen when inflation rose in August.

* 65% of new members who joined within 48 hours of the inflation increase cited financial pressure as their main reason for joining.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

Could rising inflation be driving people to cheat? A leading affairs website has revealed a startling correlation between rising inflation rates and increased membership on their platform. 

Following the latest inflation announcement on Wednesday, IllicitEncounters.com saw a 22% jump in sign-ups in just 48 hours, and this isn’t the first time the platform has experienced such a trend – when inflation rose in August of this year, the website saw a 19% rise in new members.

65% of new members who joined within 48 hours of this week’s news that inflation had risen to 2.3% cited “financial stress” as their primary reason for joining.

“We’ve come across a clear pattern: each time inflation rises, our membership numbers boom,” says Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for the affairs site. “It’s fascinating to see how economic factors can influence people’s personal relationships. When financial stress increases, it can put a strain on marriages and partnerships, leading some to seek solace or excitement elsewhere.”

Leoni also confirmed that the extramarital dating site has no plans to raise its prices, even as inflation drives up costs elsewhere. “Our members are looking for relief, not more stress. We’ll keep our platform accessible, no matter the economic climate,” she said.

For Emma*, a 34-year-old member of IllicitEncounters.com who joined this week, the most recent inflation report was the final straw. “We’ve been arguing constantly about money,” she admitted. “The bills keep piling up, and we just don’t connect anymore.”

Emma* signed up for the affairs site just hours after hearing about the latest interest rate hike. “I know it’s not the solution, but I needed something that was just for me. Somewhere I could feel alive again without the constant stress,” she said, adding that she’s already begun chatting with several potential matches.

* Name has been changed

* The quaint town in the Cotswolds has topped the charts in the UK’s most popular places for extramarital affairs, with 6.98% of the town’s population straying in 2024.

* Swindon has been revealed as the UK’s most faithful town, with only 0.35% of its residents involved in affairs.

* Nationwide infidelity is on the rise, with UK affairs up 8% since the start of the year – the highest annual rise in 20 years.

* Figures are taken from the annual Infidelity Index data provided by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading affairs site.

The picturesque town of Cheltenham has become the UK’s surprising new hotbed for infidelity, topping the nation’s rankings with 6.98% of its population reportedly involved in affairs. 

The spike in extramarital activity in Cheltenham – now known as the UK’s adultery capital – has been attributed to what experts are dubbing the “Rivals effect,” after the recent television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel, Rivals, which has sparked intrigue among locals in the Cotswolds.

The annual Infidelity Index statistics released by extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com shows the UK’s cheating hotspots, also revealed that since the release of the Disney+ series in October, sign-ups across the Cotswolds have risen by a whopping 47%. 

Hot on Cheltenham’s heels is the leafy town of Farnham in Surrey, where 5.99% of residents are engaging in affairs, followed by Motherwell in Lanarkshire with a rate of 5.63%. While these towns might appear quaint, it seems behind the scenes, passion is heating up.

Meanwhile, Swindon in Wiltshire is celebrating a very different title: the UK’s most faithful town, with only 0.35% of the population reportedly straying. Close behind are Bracknell (Berkshire) and Dewsbury (West Yorkshire), with just 0.36% and 0.39% of residents involved in extramarital affairs. 

This year’s poll also reveals a national rise in infidelity, with affairs up 8% across the UK since the start of the year – the highest annual rise in the 20 years since the affairs site was founded.

Commenting on this year’s Infidelity Index results, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni said, “While picturesque towns like Cheltenham may seem serene on the surface, data suggests that love lives here are anything but tranquil.”

Leoni also acknowledges that the latest Disney+ show Rivals might be fueling some extra curiosity this year. “A show like Rivals doesn’t directly cause an affair,” she clarifies, “but its mix of forbidden love and glamorous Cotswold settings adds a layer of fantasy that can influence people’s perspectives on relationships, especially in places like Cheltenham where the show feels close to home.”

Most affairs in 2024

1. Cheltenham (Gloucestershire) 6.98% of town population
2. Farnham (Surrey) 5.99%
3. Motherwell (Lanarkshire) 5.63%
4. Warwick (Warwickshire) 5.61%
5. Braintree (Essex) 5.55%
6. Rhyl (Denhbigshire) 5.36%
7. Borehamwood (Hertfordshire) 5.35%
8. Newbury (Berkshire) 5.23%
9. Frome (Somerset) 5.18%
10. Wilmslow (Cheshire) 5.12%

Most faithful in 2024

1. Swindon (Wiltshire) 0.35%  of town population
2. Bracknell (Berkshire) 0.36%
3. Dewsbury (West Yorkshire) 0.39%
4. Castlereagh (Castlereagh) 0.44%
5. Rotherham (South Yorkshire) 0.58%

* 38% of people admit to having an affair with a coworker

* People working within finance, law and healthcare are more likely to have workplace affairs due to long hours, high stress, and after-hours bonding which can blur boundaries.

* 45% of affairs in the workplace started as casual flirting, whilst 27% began during business trips.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

Could your co-worker’s extra-long coffee break be more scandalous than it seems? A new survey conducted by IllicitEncounters.com has found that 38% of 1,800 people polled  admitted to having an affair with a coworker.

The survey revealed that high-pressure environments are breeding grounds for office flings. The finance sector topped the list, with 33% of respondents in the industry admitting to affairs, citing long hours, intense demands, and after-work events as triggers. 

Law wasn’t far behind, with 27% of legal professionals owning up to romantic dalliances. Healthcare followed at 18%, where emotionally charged environments and marathon shifts foster close bonds among medical professionals.

Interestingly, the survey found that 45% of workplace affairs started with casual flirting that escalated, while 27% began during work-related travel.

Investment banker, Ryan*, who took part in the survey described how his affair with a junior associate began: “My job demands 12 to 14-hour days, and you naturally form strong connections with colleagues,” he explained. “We started sharing personal details over late dinners, and one night, the chemistry just took over. I wasn’t looking to cheat, but it felt inevitable.”

Ryan* said he knows the risks involved, but the thrill of secrecy is hard to resist. “There’s a rush in sneaking around the office,” he admitted. “But I also know how catastrophic it could be if anyone found out.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, says workplace affairs have always existed but are becoming more prevalent for several reasons.

“Workplaces naturally create opportunities for intimacy,” Leoni explained. “Spending extended hours together, sharing challenges, and having a mutual understanding of work pressures builds a unique bond that can easily blur boundaries.”

She also noted that professional hierarchies often add an element of excitement. “The dynamics of power and authority in the workplace can amplify the allure of an affair,” she said.

*Names have been changed

Top 5 industries where workplace affairs occur:

Finance 33%
Law 27%
Healthcare 18%
Hospitality & Tourism 9%
Media & Entertainment 6%

* New research has revealed that a quarter of Brits have suffered injuries during intimate moments, with 8% needing a trip to A&E.

* Top injuries include pulled muscles (41%), bruises (37%), and carpet burns (31%).

* Women are more likely to suffer from sex-related injuries (36%), compared to men (32%).

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

They say love hurts, but for many Brits, that phrase holds a literal – and sometimes painful – truth. 

According to a recent survey of 1,200 people conducted by extra-marital dating site IllicitEncounters.com, one in four Brits has experienced an injury during intimate moments, and for an unlucky 8% of participants, a trip to A&E was needed after a bedroom mishap went too far. 

Pulled muscles topped the list of most common injuries during a passionate romp, with 41% saying over-enthusiastic positioning or awkward angles led to more pain than pleasure. 

Bruises (37%) followed closely behind, with many admitting that late-night passion has sent them crashing into furniture, headboards, and even on to the floor. 

Carpet burns were another top offender for 31% of people polled, proving that while the living room floor might seem like a good idea, rugs are not as forgiving as they look. 

For others, black eyes (21%), back injuries (17%) and cuts (14%) were part of the price of experimentation, often pushing bodies to their limits in the heat of the moment, while an unlucky 7% of people admitted to suffering after having a foreign object stuck in an unfortunate area.

Interestingly, women appear to be more prone to sex injuries than men, with 36% of ladies admitting to having suffered in the name of pleasure, compared to 32% of men.

One anonymous woman who took part in the survey shared, “My partner and I decided to take things to the living room, and let’s just say we didn’t think it through. I ended up with carpet burns so bad on my knees that everyone at work asked why I was walking funny, and I was desperately trying not to blush. Lesson learned: next time, a blanket is a must!”

Jessica Leoni, resident sexpert at IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the results of the study saying, “Sex can be adventurous without ending up in A&E. Sometimes, it’s the spontaneous spots – kitchen counters, floors, or staircases – that add a bit of excitement, but a little preparation can go a long way. Grab a pillow or some blanket if you’re venturing off the bed, and don’t be afraid to take breaks! Nothing kills the mood like an injury.”

Leoni also reminds everyone that confidence is key: “Sex injuries often happen when you’re overreaching – literally. Stick to what feels comfortable and enjoy the fun without the fuss. Remember, it’s not just about the moves; it’s about enjoying the moment!”

Results

Most common sex injuries

Pulled muscle 41%

Bruises 37%

Carpet burn 31%

Black eye 21%

Back injury 17%

Cuts 14%

Twisted/sprained ankle 10%

A stuck foreign object 7%

Other 12%