The UK’s favourite Christmas traditions

A fifth of Brits are planning to spend more on Christmas this year

Traditions may take on more meaning this year (Getty Images)

Christmas dinner, decorating the tree and exchanging presents are among the UK's best-loved festive traditions, according to research.

Three quarters (73 per cent) revealed customs will be especially meaningful this year - with 26 per cent planning to adopt more of them than ever before.

The research, carried out by M&S Bank, also found one in five are planning on spending extra on Christmas this year - £803 on average.

Adults will typically spend £33 on Christmas jumpers, £42 on a tree and £35 on decorations, and another £36 will be spent on festive pyjamas.

Other popular traditions among the top 30 included watching Christmas films, decorating the house and listening to yuletide songs.

Shopping for Christmas presents and doing the Christmas food shop were also firm favourites.

The average spend on food and drink this year is set to be a total of £193 – an estimated 44 per cent increase on last year.

While £337 will be spent on presents for loved ones – up 47 per cent on 2019.

The poll of 2,000 adults also revealed why traditions are taking on more meaning in 2020 - 42 per cent said it’s been a difficult year.

And 31 per cent explained it's because people want to enjoy time with friends and family more than ever.

For nearly three quarters, it was Christmas traditions that make the holiday period feel so special.

Half of respondents said they made them feel festive, and 45 per cent said they bring back memories of Christmas celebrations gone by.  

Paul Stokes, head of products, M&S Bank, said: “It’s clear that Christmas traditions are an important part of many families Christmas celebrations this year, which is understandable after what has been such an unprecedented year.

“The familiarity of traditions also often brings a sense of comfort.

“And as our research suggests, it’s not necessarily the bigger traditions that people enjoy most, but the little things that make this time of year so special, whether that’s a shopping trip for your Christmas dinner, or decorating the tree as a family.”

When it comes to Christmas shopping, more than a quarter said they have a routine they follow.

More than a third like to make an occasion of it and go shopping with friends and family, if able to.

Despite 34 per cent revealing they like to spend the whole day browsing for the perfect gifts for loved ones, 31 per cent admitted they like to get it done as quickly as possible.

The poll also found that more than one in five will plan their Christmas shopping list up to a month before, while 18 per cent will draw up their list a week before.

The top reasons people enjoy gifting is to make other people happy (57 per cent), and to show others they care about them (50 per cent).

Unsurprisingly, showing appreciation for others was also a popular reason for gifting this year (42 per cent).

SWNS