UK a nation of Grinches who need to cancel Christmas favourites
The UK has become a nation of Grinches who can’t be bothered with Christmas celebrations and would happily cancel Brussels sprouts, Cliff Richard and the King’s Speech
A new poll shows we’re a nation of Grinches with nearly a fifth (18%) admitting they’d like to cancel celebrations this year – and the humble Brussels sprout is the thing we’d most like to BAN.
The divisive green vegetable romped home with over a quarter of the public vote (26%).
Christmas crooner Sir Cliff Richard, famed for festive hits like Mistletoe and Wine and Saviour’s Day, also made the hit list with one in seven (14%) calling for him to be sent to Room 101.
Singer Michael Bublé was not far behind with one in ten Brits (12%) looking to avoid his omnipresent music this winter.
And our ire didn’t stop there; the traditional King’s Speech appears to be falling out of favour with 15% of the public giving it the thumbs down.
The poll of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by all-in-one banking app thinkmoney.
Consumer expert Vix Leyton said: “Sprouts, Cliff Richard and eggnog might be Christmas staples, but they’ve clearly worn out their welcome for a lot of people.
“The cost-of-living crisis has brought prioritisation into sharp focus, driving people away from tradition for tradition’s sake and inviting a bit more mindfulness when it comes to the Big Christmas Shop.
“With the pressure and cost of Christmas hitting harder than ever, there’s no room left for the bits that don’t spark joy – especially if they’re expensive, wasteful, or come wrapped in obligation. People are choosing Christmas on their own terms and drowning out the marketing noise telling us what we should all be doing, whether we like it or not.”
Custardy alcoholic beverage eggnog (22%) came second overall in the list of things we’re looking to cancel, followed by garish Christmas jumpers (19%).
Receiving tedious festive newsletters were next on the nation’s dislike menu (18%) ahead of generic gift sets (18%).
And even mince pies didn’t escape the yuletide cull, coming in sixth (17%) just ahead of dry traditional centrepiece Turkey (17%).
Vix Leyton added: “It’s not about being a grinch, it’s about reclaiming and redefining the definition of a good Christmas; it’s not about piles of presents and January debt, it’s about showing love and showing up for your loved ones. We’re seeing more people willing to give second-hand gifts, skip the wrapping, and ditch anything that feels performative.
“From ditching the turkey to avoiding Secret Santa, the message is clear: this year, people want less pressure and more meaning. If that means cancelling charades or muting Michael Bublé, so be it. There is no single version of a perfect Christmas.”
The research by thinkmoney went on to crown Liverpool as the official grinch capital with 17% of the city’s residents looking to cancel the big day.
The all-in-one banking app also asked respondents about the gifts their likely to receive this year, with over half (54%) admitting they’d be happy to get a second hand present and just under half (46%) saying they didn’t mind if their present was wrapped or not.
TOP 20 THINGS BRITS WANT TO BAN AT CHRISTMAS
- Brussel Sprouts – 26%
- Eggnog – 22%
- Christmas Jumpers – 19%
- Christmas Newsletters – 18%
- Generic Gift Sets – 18%
- Mince Pies – 17%
- Turkey – 17%
- Elf On the Shelf – 17%
- Fake White Christmas Trees – 16%
- Inflatable Outdoor Decorations – 16%
- Stollen – 16%
- Christmas Pudding – 15%
- King’s Speech – 15%
- Cliff Richard’s Christmas Tunes – 14%
- Cheesy social media hastags such as: boydonegood and hesbeen – 14%
- Secret Santa – 13%
- Novelty Christmas Number Ones – 12%
- Michael Buble – 12%
- Charades – 12%
- Forced Family Christmas Photos – 11%
THE UK GRINCH CAPITAL – PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD CANCEL CHRISTMAS
Liverpool – 17%
Oxford – 16%
Brighton – 15%
London – 15%
Norwich – 14%
