Are These Christmas Traditions A Thing Of The Past?
It seems that many of the traditions we enjoyed in our childhood are now dying out…
Ceramic Basin Christmas Pudding from Lidl.
Much-loved Christmas traditions such as eggnog, pennies in the pudding and carol singing are now practically a thing of past, it has emerged. Tipping the paperboy and binmen and even watching a James Bond film on December 25th are no longer part of the festive routine. Researchers who carried out a detailed study found time and financial pressures are to blame along with a fear of not wanting to give the impression of being ‘old fashioned’. Overall more than half the 2,000 adults who took part expressed a belief that old traditions are falling by the wayside.
Nordic Charm Deluxe Christmas Door Wreath from Interflora.
The stats show just a third of Brits will hang a wreath on their door this year, and only 65 per cent will put up a Christmas tree. Amazingly, one in four will NOT enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings this year. In fact, only seven in 10 are planning a traditional giving and receiving of gifts. British Corner Shop – who export products to Brits around the world – carried out the in-depth research. A spokeswoman said: “Our research found there are lots of classic traditions that appear to be falling by the wayside. In fact, what we consider to be ‘traditional’ Christmas customs may no longer have a place at the Christmas of the future. However, where old traditions die off, new ones are coming up to take their place – and there are still lots of old traditions that are as popular as ever.”
Silver Slate Turkey from Lidl.
It also emerged one tenth of festive Brits are set to watch a James Bond film on television – often a staple part of a long Christmas afternoon slumped in front of the TV. And just one in seven plan to have a nativity scene taking pride of place in their front room. Fewer than one in 10 plan to do Christmas carolling this season, and only five per cent will take part in Christingle. Nearly eight in 10 adults think that people have fewer interactions with friends and neighbours as a result of traditional Christmas activities decline. And the majority of Brits believe that as years go by, Christmas gets less special, with the Christmas spirit peaking at age 14, then petering out.
Of more modern traditions that have come to prominence in recent years, a fifth of Brits now take part in a ‘Secret Santa’. And three in 10 love wearing novelty Christmas jumpers, with a further one in five visiting German Christmas markets in the run-up to the big day. A huge 82 per cent of respondents believe Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year, with eight in 10 Brits wishing it would ‘revert to its old values’. The study also uncovered the key differences in how younger and older Brits will choose to celebrate Christmas this year.
Have you visited a Christmas market?
Pic: Roman Kraft.
While Christmas dinner remains the focal point for the day, and the festive event Brits cannot do without regardless of age, there were some key differences. Brits aged 18 to 24 are more likely to prioritise putting up a Christmas tree to mark the occasion. They are also more inclined to watch a Christmas film, open an advent calendar in the run up to the big day and listen to Christmas songs, according to the OnePoll study. Brits over the age of 50 prefer to celebrate by eating mince pies, hanging a wreath on their door and going for a post-dinner walk to burn off some calories. British Corner Shop’s spokeswoman added: “Young or old, some things are so quintessentially Christmas we couldn’t be without them. While the entirety of the Christmas season is made up of a patchwork of traditions, nothing is more vital to the experience than friends and family gathering around the table for the most indulgent supper of the year.”
Traditions That Are Dying Out (And The Percentage Of The Nation Who Will Adopt Them This Year)
- Send a letter to Father Christmas through the fire – 5%
- Christingle – 5%
- Drink eggnog – 5%
- Put a sixpence or penny in a Christmas pudding – 7%
- Going out to sing Christmas Carols – 7%
- Decorate a gingerbread house – 7%
- Donate a shoebox to charity (typically containing sweets, clothing items, pens etc) – 11%
- Watch a James Bond film – 11%
- Set fire to the Christmas pudding – 13%
- Go to the Christmas pantomime – 13%
- Hang mistletoe – 14%
- Give a tip to your postman or binman – 14%
- Have a nativity scene – 14%
- Put holly and ivy up – 15%
- Leave a mince pie and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer – 19%
- Have a real Christmas tree – 20%
- Drink mulled wine – 23%
- Watch The Queen’s Speech – 25%
- Put a stocking out – 29%
- Go for a post-Christmas dinner walk – 29%
Make Your Own Gingerbread House, £15, Dunelm.
