Eight in ten people say the festive season is about more than 25 December, with cosy nights in and tucking into leftovers among the top activities enjoyed more than Christmas Day itself. A survey of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found that 28% look forward to cosy nights during the festive period more than Christmas Day.
More Than Just the Big Day
For 81%, the festive season is about far more than just December 25th, and within the last five years, 19% have started celebrating for longer both before and after. As a result, 86% of these people have found the festivities feel even more special.
According to the research, 17% enjoy browsing supermarket aisles and picking up seasonal treats. Another 15% said getting their hands on party food favourites gives them more festive excitement than Christmas Day, while 10% get a bigger thrill from 'Friendsmas'.
Food Takes Centre Stage
The findings revealed food takes centre stage for much of the festive season. For 75%, festive grub and beverages help trigger the seasonal spirit, with 46% linking this period of the year with particular foods and drinks.
Another 46% believe seasonal food helps create a festive atmosphere, while 38% said it is one of their favourite parts of the celebrations. More than one in 10 (13%) reckon it's acceptable to tuck into festive food and drink as early as October or November.
Meanwhile, 43% claim they enjoy festive food and drink too much to wait until December, and 41% want to make the most of products that are only available for a limited time.
Hosting and Events
When it comes to hosting, the survey, conducted by OnePoll, found 39% love the opportunity to bring friends and family together. A quarter (26%) embrace the chance to create a festive atmosphere in their home, while 21% enjoy the challenge of preparing food and drink for their loved ones.
The research was commissioned by Lidl ahead of its first-ever Christmas preview events in London and Manchester, giving Christmas revellers the chance to kick off the season with an exclusive first look at their seasonal offerings. Tickets are priced at £5, with all proceeds going to the NSPCC, and guests can sample the festive food moments they love most, from Christmas dinner staples to snacks for cosy nights in, alongside festive photo opportunities, giveaways and a preview of this year's non-food range.
The top 20 festive moments enjoyed more than Christmas Day include relaxing in the period between Christmas and New Year, cosy nights in building up to Christmas, watching favourite Christmas films, putting decorations up, going on a wintery walk, tucking into leftovers, seeing Christmas lights switched on, shopping for presents, browsing festive aisles, enjoying new party food, watching Boxing Day football, the final working day before Christmas, drinking mulled wine at markets, going to the pub on Christmas Eve, doing the big food shop, having a 'Friendsmas' get together, wearing a favourite Christmas jumper, secretly eating food purchased for the 25th, taking advantage of Boxing Day sales, and taking the kids to Santa's grotto.
