Seven in 10 consumers want to ‘shake things up’ this Christmas - because they’re bored of the same old festive traditions.
A poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Yuletide found those keen for change are in favour of ditching turkey, introducing new party games, and even spending the special day abroad.
Year after year, 58 per cent eat the same foods, 66 per cent celebrate with the same people, and 50 per cent decorate their homes the same way every year.
Other ‘tweaks’ include listening to more festive music than usual, freshening up their selection decorations, and dressing more casually – including spending all day in their PJs if they want to.
However, the research by Tenderstem found 60 per cent feel obliged to stick to tradition and are apprehensive about change as a result - despite a strong desire to do something different this year.
Exactly a quarter admit they adhere to old ways to appease certain relatives, while 54 per cent feel breaking from the norm is somehow ‘wrong’.
Regardless, 46 per cent of those polled consider Christmas Day to be the one day of the year they should be able to indulge and do what they actually want.
Embracing change this festive season
In a new video, relationship expert Mel Schilling is seen giving the nation top tips on how to make a clean break from tired traditions.
Likening the dilemma to common life struggle, relationships, Mel’s advice aims to give Brits the confidence and tools to ditch choices we’re no longer content with.
The Married At First Sight star said: “We can all spot when something isn’t right for someone else, but we find it harder to spot when something isn’t right for ourselves.
“Just because something is familiar and comfortable, it doesn’t mean that it makes us happy.
“I am encouraging Brits to follow their hearts and embrace change this festive season.
“Be it by banning Brussels from your Christmas plate and opting for other vegetables instead, or sitting in your PJ’s all day on Christmas Day – after all, it’s special day meant for indulging.”
In-line with Mel’s comments, ditching sprouts is one of the traditions many of those polled are keen to break free from.
And with approximately 115 million uneaten and wasted every year – the equivalent of 1.15 billion grams – it’s perhaps easy to see why.
Other changes those polled are keen to make this year include introducing a Secret Santa present gifting system, and eating at different times of the day.
But while there might be certain aspects of the holidays many adults might like to do away with or have a break from, there are also aspects they’re happy to keep the same.
Shaking up traditions
The research, carried out through OnePoll, found 55 per cent love spending time with family and friends.
While 54 per cent enjoy the act of giving to loved ones and 46 per cent take great delight in eating all the food they want.
Time to relax (42 per cent), time off work (32 per cent) and simply finding the day magical (31 per cent) are also the things people love about Christmas.
Dave Samuels, brand manager at Tenderstem, said: “While we all love the Christmas period, we are repeatedly sleepwalking into traditions because we’re putting others’ expectations above our own.
‘’Mel is a fantastic advocate for ironing out the kinks to make things work for you, so hopefully her tips can give you the courage to take the leap.
“We want to empower the great British public this year, bidding goodbye to bitter bedfellows and swapping Brussels for something they actually enjoy on their Christmas plates – perhaps a sweet and slightly nutty alternative.”
To see Mel’s tips on how to break free from traditions for a more fulfilling Christmas click here.
Top 20 changes people would like to make this Christmas
1. Watch more Christmas movies
2. Get new decorations
3. Watch different Christmas movies to ones we normally watch
4. Go abroad for Christmas
5. Eat different foods to what I normally have
6. Play new party games
7. Play more festive music throughout the Christmas period
8. Not travel anywhere this Christmas
9. Not eat turkey for Christmas dinner
10. Have Christmas at home rather than be hosted by someone else
11. Get a real Christmas tree
12. Dress casually on Christmas day
13. Not having the whole family around and having a smaller, quieter Christmas
14. Have dinner at a different time to usual
15. Have different people around
16. Open presents at a different time to usual
17. Not have Brussels sprouts and instead have other vegetables
18. Have guests bring different dishes
19. Introduce a Secret Santa present gifting system
20. Not watch the King’s Speech
