In a bid to offer parents some much-needed relief after the summer holidays, Aldi has unveiled its first-ever Specialbuy Spa Day, giving 100 lucky parents the chance to unwind for just the price of a light-hearted story from their school holiday experiences.
A recent survey conducted by the discount supermarket chain, involving over 1,000 parents, revealed that two-thirds (66%) find the school holidays stressful, with many struggling to carve out time for themselves. The study highlights the creative lengths some parents go to find peace, with nearly half (44%) of fathers admitting to hiding from their children for a bit of ‘me time’.
Fathers were shown to be particularly inventive in their attempts to gain a few moments of solitude. Over a fifth (21%) of dads confessed to pretending to be asleep, while 17% admitted to sending their children to bed before 6pm to secure some early evening quiet.
On the other hand, a quarter (24%) of mothers expressed that their ideal way to spend the first day back after the holidays would be to indulge in some pampering. However, the reality is less glamorous for most, with over half (50%) of mums planning to spend the day catching up on housework and resetting their homes after the summer break.
In response to these findings, Aldi is offering a unique opportunity for parents to relax with its Specialbuy Spa Day. Parents interested in securing one of the £75 spa day vouchers are invited to share a funny anecdote from their summer holiday experiences by emailing AldiSpaDay@Clarioncomms.co.uk before midnight on 6th September. The supermarket chain will reward 100 parents with a voucher and feature some of the most amusing stories on Aldi’s social media channels.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, commented on the initiative: “The back-to-school period is not just significant for children, but for parents too. Our shoppers have told us they want to be pampered, and what better way to celebrate ‘Parents’ Yay’ than with a spa day? Some of my fondest memories with my children come from the school holidays, and I’m excited to see what other parents have been up to. We’ll be sharing some of the funniest anecdotes on Aldi’s social channels.”
Additional insights from the survey revealed that nearly half (49%) of parents eagerly anticipate the return to school as it provides an opportunity to relax. However, opinions on the length of the holidays varied, with two in five (39%) mothers feeling the break is too long, while a fifth (19%) of fathers believe it isn’t long enough.
To keep their children entertained, some parents have resorted to turning household chores into games, with a quarter (25%) adopting this strategy. Meanwhile, 23% of parents are simply counting down the days until the school gates reopen, and a fifth (18%) admitted to hiding in the toilet to escape the chaos.
Regional differences were also noted, with parents in the South East and South West (both 47%) most likely to feel that the holidays drag on too long. In contrast, parents in the East Midlands (23%) and Scotland (21%) are more likely to believe the holidays are too short.
As the school term begins, the survey found that parents plan to spend the first day back in various ways. The top activities include catching up on housework (45%), returning to work (43%), watching TV (25%), catching up with friends (18%), and treating themselves to some pampering (15%).
Full terms and conditions for the Specialbuy Spa Day offer can be found on Aldi’s website at aldi.co.uk/spa-specialbuy.
