How Generation Z celebrate Christmas

Two-fifths say they will not touch alcohol over festive period

Generation Z tend to drink less alcohol, poll finds (Getty Images)

This Christmas is going to be more “Silent Night” than “Ding Dong Merrily on High” for Britain’s Generation Z.

An abstemious 40 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds say they do not plan to drink alcohol over Christmas and New Year, according to a new report.

One-quarter have only been drinking up to two units a week in the last few weeks – the equivalent to one pint of low-strength lager or a small glass of wine.

And more than seven in 10 claim they never take illegal drugs, with fewer than one in five confessing to having dabbled.

The survey of 2,000 members of Generation Z, commissioned by health and wellness brand Swisse Me, revealed only 11 per cent have been imbibing more than 11 units a week, just over five standard glasses of wine.

Although heavy drinking may be off the menu for many young adults, their appetites were as high as anyon’es. Sixty-five per cent said they were looking forward to a traditional roast dinner on Christmas Day.

More than three -quarters said they would avoid fad diets over the break. A spokesperson for Swiss Me, Nykkea Maretic, said: “Generation Z are more abstemious than any other generation and health and well-being is hugely important to them."

Only 10 per cent of respondents in the study – carried out via OnePoll – described themselves as vegetarian, 10 per cent flexitarian, 5 per cent vegan and 5 per cent pescatarian.

SWNS