Brits Swap Turkey for Curry and Chips as Christmas Traditions Take a Wild Turn

With Christmas day almost a month away, around 88%¹ of the UK will be celebrating with their own family traditions, whether that be opening presents in the morning, starting the day hungover from Christmas eve drinks, or ordering in a Chinese over cooking a dinner with all the trimmings.

But how do most Brits spend their Christmas day? The greeting’s card marketplace, thortful, has surveyed² the nation to find out the most popular, wonderful and whacky Christmas Day traditions.

How do Brits celebrate Christmas Day?

Christmas Day might follow a familiar script, but the nation doesn’t all read it the same way. For 39% of Brits, the big day unfolds in classic order, with presents first, a leisurely Christmas dinner, the King’s Speech, and an evening filled with entertainment.

Another 27% prefer to stretch their legs before the festivities, heading out for a morning walk before tucking into Christmas dinner, opening presents, and rounding things off with some end-of-day fun.

Meanwhile, 19% like to dive straight into the gifts, enjoy their entertainment early, settle in for the King’s Speech, and wrap up with a later Christmas dinner.

How late do people eat Christmas Dinner?

If you thought everyone ate Christmas dinner at the same time, think again. The most popular serving slot is 2pm, chosen by 26% of people, while 18% prefer a slightly earlier 1pm feast. For 15%, 3pm is the magic hour, and 8% hold out until 4pm.

At the extremes, 2% are already tucking in before midday, whereas another 2% wait all the way until 9pm for their festive meal, making it practically a Christmas supper.

What do people eat for Christmas dinner?

Whilst many will tuck in to a turkey with all the trimmings, thortful’s research found many Brits love to include some unusual and divisive additions to their festive meal.

21% happily serve macaroni cheese, while another 21% bring curry to the table. A festive 20% even fire up the BBQ, matching the 22% who opt for pasta. Grazers get their way too, with 19% adding a mezze platter, and 22% throwing chips alongside their trimmings. For those who like things a little creamier, 17% make space for dauphinoise potatoes.

• 22% have pasta
• 22% have chips
• 21% have macaroni cheese
• 21% have curry
• 20% have a BBQ
• 19% have a mezze platter
• 17% have dauphinoise potatoes

Which are the most popular Christmas traditions?

When it comes to festive rituals, the King’s Speech remains the reigning favourite, with 89% tuning in.

• 89% watch the kings speech
• 16% open their presents all at once
• 15% play boardgames
• 15% share Christmas cracker jokes
• 14% open presents once at a time
• 12% drink at the local pub
• 11% go carol singing

Tradition around present-opening varies, though, as 16% unwrap everything in one go, while 14% prefer the slow-and-steady approach with gifts opened one at a time.

Boardgames and Christmas cracker jokes each entertain 15% of people, and 12% keep up the tradition of a festive drink at the local pub. A hearty 11% even go carol singing.

A spokesperson from thortful adds, “Christmas is a time full of traditions, and our findings show just how divisive they can be. We even see this with our Christmas card and gift sales, with some going down the rude, pop culture, or funny route, whilst many others love to send emotional and lovey-dovey cards during the festive season.”

To find out how your Christmas day differs from others, thortful share their full Christmas day report.