Traditional huge family Christmas celebrations are dying a death because couple can’t be bothered to spend time with their in-laws – and would rather stay home by themselves
Big festive get-togethers are dying out as couples increasingly avoid their relatives to enjoy “mini Christmases”. Nearly nine in 10 working Brits who are in a relationship but don’t have children — some 89% — say they will avoid a big family gathering this year.
While a third of “dual-income-no-kids” couples, known as “dinks” (33%), said it would be just the two of them on Christmas Day. Almost half (48%) want all future Christmases to remain “small” with a similar number (46%) keen to dodge a row with their partner over whose family to visit on December 25.
And Ocado, which surveyed 500 Brits, said the rise of the mini Christmas was reflected in soaring demand for festive meals for two. It said searches by UK customers for “small whole chicken” had jumped by 156% compared to last year, as Brits cater for more intimate festivities that don’t require a huge turkey.
There has been a 417% rise in searches for “small beef joint”, while interest in “meals for two” is 61.5% higher than 12 months ago. The online supermarket said: “Ocado’s seeing a clear shift towards smaller but elevated festive mains.
“And it’s not just the roasts getting downsized, desserts are shrinking too.” It said demand for teeny puddings had increased by up to 300%, with sales of Marks & Spencer mini cranberry and orange panettone and M&S mini double chocolate panettone soaring.
The report said: “Food is playing a major role in shaping this trend towards more intimate Christmases.” Daniel Cavanagh, 27, who responded to the survey, is originally from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, but now lives in London with partner Hannah, who grew up in Liverpool.
He said: “For us, choosing to celebrate Christmas our way has completely changed the day. “We used to spend hours in the car driving across the country to see both our families and keep everyone happy, and by the end, we were exhausted.
“Now we stay at home and make a day of it together. We cook the food we love, try out dishes we wouldn’t feel confident serving to a big group, and actually have time to relax.”
It comes as it has been revealed that more and more Brits are happy that some traditions surrounding the festive season are dying off. A survey of over 2,000 Brits last year revealed that Christmas cards are now a thing of the past and should be left aside.
Figures from the survey revealed that one in ten Brits would no long be sending Christmas cards, and another six in ten revealed they had not received a single card over the festive period. Almost half of those surveyed said they would prefer not to send cards but feel obliged because they still receive them.
A spokesperson for mobile game Clash Royale, who commissioned the study, commented: “Christmas cards might once have been the highlight of the holiday season, but it seems many are happy to let this tradition fade like tinsel on a tired old tree. But for those that do receive these nuisance cards, I’m pleased that we can help get rid of them and give players a reward for doing so.”
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