What we learned about your festive season!
The results from our big Christmas survey are in! With over 45,000 responses, you’ve given us a brilliant peek into your shopping habits, favourite attractions and, most importantly, your ultimate Christmas chocolate!
So, let’s dive into the most interesting festive findings…
🛍️ Spending and shopping
When it comes to gift-buying, our findings reveal most of us are embracing a sensible mix of modern convenience and classic high-street charm.
A dominant 55% of you are planning a balanced mix of online and in-store shopping this year. However, a significant number are still heading to the web, with 21% opting to do most of their shopping purely online. The majority of respondents are planning to spend between £251 and £500 on Christmas gifts (34%).
Unsurprisingly, the current climate is influencing our budgets. For those planning to spend less this year, the top two reasons were clear: The cost of living has gone up (56%) and cutting back on spending in general (44%).
Despite budget concerns, a massive 68% of people said their spending this year would be about the same as last year. That’s some serious Christmas budgeting!
🎄 Your top Christmas markets
The competition was fierce, but we have a winner for the UK’s favourite Christmas Market.
🥇 1st Bath Christmas Market with 12% of votes
🥈 2nd Edinburgh Christmas Market with 11% of votes
🥉 3rd York St Nicholas Fair with 9% of votes
A huge 20% of respondents said they have never visited a Christmas market! With amazing value rooms at Travelodge, this year is the time to finally go.
🤩 What we love most
What is the ultimate draw to a Christmas market? It’s all about the feeling! A whopping 67% of you agreed that the festive atmosphere is what you love most. Close behind were the food and drink stalls (38%) and the setting (38%), jointly in second place.
🌟 The light trail craze
When it comes to Christmas light trails, Christmas at Kew in London shines brightest, with 29% of the vote. While The Lanterns at Chester Zoo and Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum took 11% and 6% of the votes. This suggests that big, spectacular light displays are becoming a key part of the modern Christmas calendar.
🚂 The ultimate family day out
The biggest winner for a quintessential family experience was a classic festive journey: The Polar Express Train Ride took the top spot with 19% of the vote. Strong contenders for the most festive family day out also included Winter Wonderland at London’s Hyde Park (15%), Edinburgh Christmas Market (13%) and Santa Express – North Yorkshire Moors Railway (12%). We’re noticing a steam train theme here!
🍽️ The all-important Christmas dinner
From the menu to the dress code, here’s how the nation plans to celebrate the big day.
Turkey remains the undisputed king of the Christmas table, chosen by 65% of people, with gammon and beef as close runners-up (28% and 24%).
Most hosts are budgeting between £50 and £100 (25%) for the main Christmas dinner shop, with the second largest group spending between £100 and £150 (20%).
When it comes to Christmas day dress codes: comfort wins! Casual clothes (45%) and the trusty Christmas jumper (27%) are your go-to outfits, easily beating out a smart/formal look (on 14%).
🍬 The ultimate Christmas chocolate selection revealed…
The most divisive question of all finally has a clear answer. For 2025, the UK’s favourite chocolate selection box is… Lindt Selection, which took the crown with 21% of the vote.
🥇 1st Lindt Selection with 21% of votes
🥈 2nd Cadbury Heroes with 13% of votes
🥉 3rd Quality Street with 13% of votes
🎖️ 4th Ferrero Rocher 4% of votes
