Restrictions on celebrations mean Christmas day is likely to look very different for many, particularly in Jersey where the ‘Christmas bubble’ restrictions are about to be announced. Most (81%) Brits are planning to have a scaled-back Christmas dinner, food lovers are ditching the traditional turkey dinner and Christmas pudding for an array of foods they enjoy more.
40% of people don’t really enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner and only eat it because they don’t want to break tradition
According to a new study by recipe box firm, Gousto, whilst almost two-thirds (60%) of people say celebrating Christmas with food is their favourite way to celebrate, 40% don’t really enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner and only eat it because they don’t want to break with family tradition.
As a result, a quarter of the nation will be embracing the changing, scaled-back, face of Christmas this year to eat something completely different.
Christmas pudding – not Brussels sprouts – is the most disliked part of the traditional Christmas dinner, closely followed by mince pies and turkey. Continuing the theme of 2020 where anything goes, over one in ten would rather have fish and chips (14%), Chinese takeaway (14%), curry (13%) or pizza (12%). One in 10 would opt for pasta or burgers instead.
Among the least liked festive foods are:
- Christmas pudding 33%
- Brussel sprouts 30%
- Christmas cake 30%
- Mince pies 24%
- Turkey 20%
Kathryn Huxtable, Food Director at Gousto says: “We’re a nation bound by traditions, which means millions of us are eating traditional Christmas dinners because we feel we have to, rather than because we enjoy eating it. These findings show that people are secretly hungry for something a bit different and more adventurous when it comes to Christmas dinner. With celebrations happening in smaller groups this year, 2020 is giving us the chance to press the reset button and make our own festive food rules.”
As hosting for the masses is put on hold, the Christmas day chefs sigh a secret sigh of relief! Brits have voted the hours of preparation (32%) and the stressful supermarket shop (27%) as the least enjoyable things about hosting the big day.
One in five people say they’ve wanted to cook a different Christmas meal in the past but worried what their guests would think so they’re looking forward to changing the menu this year.
As it turns out, Brits would absolutely love an alternative plate of food at the end of the month, with some cracking options on the menu:
Top 5 Alternative Mains:
- Fish & Chips
- Chinese Takeaway
- Curry
- Pizza
- A plant-based option
Top 5 Alternative Puds:
- Chocolate gateaux
- Sticky toffee pudding
- Pavlova
- Strawberry cheesecake
- The humble ice cream sundae
Please note that Gousto does not currently deliver to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
