Seven in ten Brits are bored of the same old festive traditions, and want to make some changes this Christmas – including watching more Christmas movies, and investing in some new decorations.
Going abroad for the festive season, ditching the turkey for Christmas dinner, and playing new party games are other top “tweaks” people want to make this Christmas.
It comes as a poll of 2,000 adults, who celebrate the season, found that half of those decorate their homes the same way every year, while two-thirds celebrate with the same people.
And 58% eat the same foods year after year – with 115 million uneaten Brussels sprouts going to waste every year, as people don't actually like them and would rather have different vegetables.
But the research, by Tenderstem, found six in ten feel obliged to stick to tradition, and are apprehensive about change as a result – despite a strong desire to do something different this year.
One in four admit they adhere to old ways to appease certain relatives, while more than half (54%) feel breaking from the norm is somehow “wrong”.
Regardless, 46% 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.
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 the 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 a 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.
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.
The research, carried out through OnePoll, found more than half (55%) love spending time with family and friends.
And 54% enjoy the act of giving to loved ones, while 46% take great delight in eating all the food they want.
Having time to relax (42%), time off work (32%), and simply finding the day magical (31%), are also some of 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, visit here.
TOP 20 CHANGES PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS CHRISTMAS:
- Watch more Christmas movies
- Get new decorations
- Watch different Christmas movies to ones we normally watch
- Go abroad for Christmas
- Eat different foods to what I normally have
- Play new party games
- Play more festive music throughout the Christmas period
- Not travel anywhere this Christmas
- Not eat turkey for Christmas dinner
- Have Christmas at home rather than be hosted by someone else
- Get a real Christmas tree
- Dress casually on Christmas Day
- Not having the whole family around and instead having a smaller, quieter Christmas
- Have dinner at a different time to usual
- Have different people around
- Open presents at a different time to usual
- Not having Brussels sprouts, and instead having other vegetables
- Have guests bring different dishes
- Introduce a Secret Santa present gifting system
- Not watch the King's Speech
