New research has revealed the unexpected perks of working on Christmas Day, as figures show more than a million Britons took on the festive shift last year.
According to Office for National Statistics figures, around 1.2 million people worked on Christmas Day in 2025, up slightly from 1.1 million in 2018. A recent poll of 1,000 adults who have worked on December 25th highlights several uplifting aspects of working the holiday shift.
What Workers Enjoy About the Festive Shift
In the poll, 27% of those working on Christmas Day enjoy not having to worry about cooking or cleaning up afterwards and the pressure to have a perfect day. Meanwhile, others enjoy not having to travel long distances to see relatives - and enjoy the space away from family, and potential squabbles.
But for 37%, the main draw is the chance to make Christmas special for someone else, while 25% enjoy giving back to their community.
Making Christmas Special for Others
The research was commissioned by Greene King, whose second annual Big Christmas Shift offers Christmas Day workers a free meal from 2nd to 5th December - they have until 16th November to sign up or to be nominated by loved ones.
Carried out through OnePoll, the poll found the typical festive worker is now on their fourth Christmas in a row, with 21% having done 10 or more shifts during their career.
For those working in care or medical sectors there are standout moments, such as comforting someone struggling and helping those who might otherwise have spent Christmas alone. What's more, 45% cherish helping to make the day feel meaningful for those who can’t enjoy it with their loved ones.
Gratitude and Adjusted Celebrations
Among all workers polled, 30% cited how special it was to witness someone’s mood improve because of something they did or receiving an unexpected thank you (27%). Many have even received a card (28%), gift (25%) or edible token of thanks (33%) on December 25th.
Those working on Christmas Day will adapt their own celebrations. Some reschedule the entire day to spend fully with their family. Others opt to set aside a few key traditions, such as having Christmas dinner (45%), seeing extended family (37%), opening presents (31%), or going for a festive walk (18%).
Andrew Gallagher from Greene King said: “Behind so many special moments that the rest of us enjoy, there are people giving up time with their loved ones to make Christmas special for somebody else.
“So, this year, we are giving Santa a little less of the credit and putting the spotlight on Britain’s real Christmas shift workers.
“Offering 30,000 free meals is our way of saying thank you to every person behind the scenes and giving them a chance to enjoy some well-earned festive cheer of their own.”
The eight unexpected perks of working Christmas include quieter roads or commute, not having to worry about cooking Christmas dinner, having another day off instead, less pressure to have the “perfect” Christmas, celebrating Christmas on my own terms, escaping the Christmas Day clean up, not having to travel long distances to see relatives, and navigating family dynamics.
