The holidays are made for gathering. From Thanksgiving dinners to festive celebrations with friends and family, it's a season filled with traditions, laughter, and moments worth remembering.
But behind every beautifully set table and welcoming home is a lot of work. Between preparing meals, getting the house guest-ready, and cleaning up afterward, hosting can sometimes feel like more of a chore than a celebration.
At Roborock, we believe technology should make everyday life easier, giving people more freedom to enjoy what matters most. That's why we partnered with Talker Research to explore the hidden demands of holiday hosting, and what it might take to bring more joy back to the season.
Our new 2026 Holiday Hosting Report, The Hidden Cost of Holiday Hosting, reveals just how much time and energy Americans dedicate to making the holidays special. What we discovered is a familiar holiday contradiction: the more effort people put into creating the perfect gathering, the less time they may have to actually enjoy it.
The Hidden Cost of a Holiday Gathering
20.6 hours. That's how much time the average holiday host spends cleaning before and after a single gathering, or the equivalent to roughly two and a half eight-hour workdays.
That's time spent vacuuming floors, tidying rooms, and tackling the inevitable aftermath of a celebration, on top of everything else that goes into hosting. And the cost isn't just measured in hours.
56% of holiday hosts say cleaning has caused them to miss out on meaningful moments with loved ones. Whether it's a conversation with a relative, enjoying a holiday meal, or simply relaxing alongside guests, the pressure to keep everything spotless can pull hosts away from the celebration itself.
Perhaps most tellingly, 62% say they would host more often if less cleaning were required beforehand. This is a reminder that the work of hosting doesn't just affect how we celebrate. Sometimes, it can stand in the way of getting together at all.
Making More Room for What Matters
A welcoming home doesn't have to be a perfect one. And preparing for the holidays shouldn't mean spending more time caring for your floors than connecting with the people gathered around you. That's where smarter home care can make a meaningful difference.
From keeping floors clean ahead of guests' arrival to helping manage everyday crumbs, spills, and post-party messes, Roborock's intelligent cleaning solutions are designed to take some of the work out of maintaining a home. Robotic vacuums can help keep floors clean with less hands-on effort, while versatile wet-dry cleaning solutions make it easier to tackle the unexpected messes that come with a house full of loved ones. Because the less time spent worrying about cleaning, the more room there is for spontaneous conversations, shared traditions, and the little moments that make the holidays memorable.
At Roborock, we believe the best kind of innovation isn't just about what technology can do. It's about what it gives people the freedom to do.
This holiday season, let's spend less time managing the mess and more time making memories.
Explore the Full 2026 Holiday Hosting Report
There's more to the story behind America's holiday gatherings. Discover additional findings on hosting stress, last-minute cleaning, and the moments Americans wish they had more time to enjoy. Read our full report, The Hidden Cost of Holiday Hosting, below.
https://gl-files.roborock.com/newsroom/us/asset/document/5355/THE_HIDDEN_COST_OF_HOLIDAY_HOSTING.pdf