Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Sarah Lumley

Most parents worry Christmas will lose its sparkle this year - due to less money and time

Eight in 10 parents worry Christmas will lose its sparkle this year because they don’t have the time – or money – to make it magical.

A poll of 2,000 mums and dads found 86 per cent want to make the festive season feel special – but a third (32 per cent) don’t think they can this year.

Of those, 45 per cent claim they are too busy, while 33 per cent are feeling pressure from work deadlines.

To help bring the magic of Christmas back to life, a third anticipate taking more time off work, and 26 per cent will be putting in extra hours before the holidays to help build up some time in lieu.

The research was commissioned by wilko as part of its Christmas campaign, which highlights how the magic can in fact go further this year – even if it’s just through doing the small things that don’t break the bank or take lots of time.

As part of this message, the home and garden retailer enlisted a Christmas-adoring family to become the stars and creative directors of its 2022 Christmas campaign.

Nearly half of families leave a mince pie and carrot out for Santa and Rudolph (Flying Colours Ltd./Getty Images)

Michelle Kirkup, from the winning family, said: “Our entry was based on giving the gift of kindness at Christmas, and we wanted to share how having a magical Christmas doesn’t have to mean piles of presents – it can be as simple as curling up in front of a favourite festive film with family.

“It doesn’t really matter what age your children are, it’s just about finding ways to adapt over the years to bring the magic to life in different ways – whether that’s decorating the tree, making gingerbread men, or just simply spending time together.”

Research also found almost half (48 per cent) of those who want to make the festive holiday feel special this year enjoy making it memorable for their family – and 29 per cent want to improve on the last few years, which have been a bit of a let-down.

As a result, 41 per cent of mums and dads, who have plans to make this time of year different to any other, expect to fill their weekends with activities.

Among their favourite ways to make the festive season memorable with their youngsters are curling up in front of a festive film (61 per cent), decorating the tree (45 per cent), and leaving a mince pie and carrot out for Santa and Rudolph (43 per cent).

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found seven years old to be the age Christmas is most magical for youngsters, while 69 per cent of parents celebrate this time of year more so now compared to before they had children.

In fact, 48 per cent think things will be better this year as their children are another year older, and have a better understanding of what the festive period is all about.

Top 10 things parents like to do with their family at Christmas

  1. Watching a Christmas film together
  2. Decorating the tree
  3. Leaving out a mince pie and carrot for Santa and Rudolph
  4. Listening to Christmas songs
  5. Putting up other Christmas decorations
  6. Writing/making Christmas cards
  7. Making gingerbread men/houses together
  8. Wrapping presents together
  9. Snuggling up under a blanket for a Christmas cuddle
  10. Sharing a box of chocolates together
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.