Londoners want to ditch tired festive traditions this Christmas

Seven in 10 consumers want to ‘shake things up’ this Christmas – because they’re bored of the same old festive traditions, according to a study.

A poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Yuletide found those keen for change are in favour of ditching turkey, introducing new party games, and even spending the special day abroad.

Year after year, 58 per cent said they eat the same foods, 66 per cent celebrate with the same people, and 50 per cent decorate their homes the same way every year.

Other ‘tweaks’ include listening to more festive music than usual, freshening up their selection decorations, and dressing more casually – including spending all day in their PJs if they want to.

However, the research by Tenderstem® found 60 per cent feel obliged to stick to tradition and are apprehensive about change as a result – despite a strong desire to do something different this year.

Exactly a quarter admit they adhere to old ways to appease certain relatives, while 54 per cent feel breaking from the norm is somehow ‘wrong’.

Regardless, 46 per cent of those polled consider Christmas Day to be the one day of the year they should be able to indulge and do what they actually want.

In a new video, Mel Schilling is seen giving the nation top tips on how to make a clean break from tired traditions.

Likening the dilemma to common life struggle, relationships, Mel’s advice aims to give Brits the confidence and tools to ditch choices we’re no longer content with.

The Married At First Sight star said: “We can all spot when something isn’t right for someone else, but we find it harder to spot when something isn’t right for ourselves.

“Just because something is familiar and comfortable, it doesn’t mean that it makes us happy.

“I am encouraging Brits to follow their hearts and embrace change this festive season.

“Be it by banning Brussels from your Christmas plate and opting for other vegetables instead, or sitting in your PJ’s all day on Christmas Day – after all, it’s special day meant for indulging.”

In-line with Mel’s comments, ditching sprouts is one of the traditions many of those polled are keen to break free from.

And with approximately 115 million uneaten and wasted every year – the equivalent of 1.15 billion grams – it’s perhaps easy to see why.

Other changes those polled are keen to make this year include introducing a Secret Santa present gifting system, and eating at different times of the day.

But while there might be certain aspects of the holidays many adults might like to do away with or have a break from, there are also aspects they’re happy to keep the same.

The research, carried out through OnePoll, found 55 per cent love spending time with family and friends.

While 54 per cent enjoy the act of giving to loved ones and 46 per cent take great delight in eating all the food they want.

Time to relax (42 per cent), time off work (32 per cent) and simply finding the day magical (31 per cent) are also the things people love about Christmas.

Dave Samuels, brand manager at Tenderstem®, said: “While we all love the Christmas period, we are repeatedly sleepwalking into traditions because we’re putting others’ expectations above our own.

‘’Mel is a fantastic advocate for ironing out the kinks to make things work for you, so hopefully her tips can give you the courage to take the leap.

“We want to empower the great British public this year, bidding goodbye to bitter bedfellows and swapping Brussels for something they actually enjoy on their Christmas plates – perhaps a sweet and slightly nutty alternative!”

To see Mel’s tips on how to break free from traditions for a more fulfilling Christmas click here [www.tenderstem.co.uk/break-up-with-brussels].

TOP 20 – CHANGES PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS CHRISTMAS
Watch more Christmas movies
Get new decorations
Watch different Christmas movies to ones we normally watch
Going abroad for Christmas
Eat different foods to what I normally have
Play new party games
Play more festive music throughout the Christmas period
Not travel anywhere this Christmas
Not eat turkey for Christmas dinner
Have Christmas at home rather than be hosted by someone else
Get a real Christmas tree
Dress casually on Christmas day
Not having the whole family around and having a smaller, quieter Christmas
Have dinner at a different time to usual
Have different people around
Open presents at a different time to usual
Not have Brussels sprouts and instead have other vegetables
Have guests bring different dishes
Introduce a Secret Santa present gifting system
Not watch the King’s Speech