The Christmas traditions Brits are ditching

A whole raft of Christmas traditions including pennies in puddings, carol singing and sending cards could soon be consigned to history according to a new study which suggests that British adults are dispensing with the old and embracing the new as they look to make their own festive traditions.

The study reveals that over half of us (51%) plan to shake up Christmas this year, with one in four (23%) saying that traditional Christmas traditions are old fashioned and lost their magic.

The new study of 2000 British Christmas lovers was specially commissioned to mark the festive launch of M&M’S Hollow Santa – the ultimate stocking filler. The results shine a spotlight on how the nation plans to celebrate Christmas in 2023 with new traditions including Christmas shopping in November, sustainable/imitation Christmas trees and wearing pyjamas all day!
One in five (18%) also reveal they have never tried a Christmas pudding, increasing to 45% of Gen Z.

Top 10 new Christmas traditions Brits are embracing:
1. Christmas shopping in November (25%)
2. Sustainable or imitation Christmas trees (24%)
3. Wearing pyjamas all day (23%)
4. Festive candles (23%)
5. Regifting (22%)
6. Christmas blankets and bedding (21%)
7. Cheesy Christmas romance films (21%)
8. Homemade presents (21%)
9. Vegetarian or Vegan roasts (20%)
10. Unique, quirky, or personalised baubles (19%)

Top 10 Christmas traditions in danger of dying out:
1. Pennies in Christmas pudding (43%)
2. Satsumas and walnuts in stockings (40%)
3. Sending Christmas cards (39%)
4. Going Christmas carolling (38%)
5. Making paper chains (36%)
6. Roasting chestnuts (35%)
7. Singing carols at home (30%)
8. Marzipan fruits (27%)
9. Lighting the Christmas pudding (25%)
10. Watching the King’s Speech (24%)

Stockings remain a firm festive favourite with 84% either receiving or giving one at Christmas. Chocolate is the nation’s favourite stocking filler (56%), followed by sweets (34%) and socks (30%).

Nine in ten (90%) of those polled eat chocolate on Christmas Day with many (42%) tucking in before lunch, according to the survey by M&M’S Hollow Santas.

Meanwhile, ornaments, electronics, and homemade gifts are unlikely to make an appearance above the fireplace, voted bottom of our favourite stocking fillers.

Outside of friends and family, people will also be gifting to pets (23%), colleagues (16%) and neighbours (13%).

Over half (53%) of Gen Z Christmas lovers admit to also purchasing themselves a Christmas gift and then wrapping it up to put under the tree and open Christmas morning (56%). New clothes, beauty or fragrances and chocolate top the list of the most self-gifted items.

Cybi Capaldi, Christmas Senior Brand Manager at Mars Wrigley, said: “I love Christmas, but every year I remember how repetitive it can be – which is why this year I’ll be trying out some new traditions, such as the modern favourites that made our list, or something completely different entirely like a morning dip in the sea. Afterall, if M&M’S Hollow Santas can shake things up and make Christmas more fun, why can’t I?”

M&M’S Hollow Santas are a hollow milk chocolate Santa shape, filled with mini-M&M’S. Available in stores now, RRP £2.99.