Most hated Christmas traditions revealed… as adults slam Elf on The Shelf & fresh sets of pyjamas

RESEARCH has revealed the most hated Christmas traditions as adults slam Elf on The Shelf and fresh sets of pyjamas.

The study of 2,000 Christmas fans, commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre, also listed the festive traditions from around the world many would like to adopt.

2

The poll found 27 per cent loathe Santa’s mischievous little helper, while a fifth turn their nose up at getting new pyjamas for the whole family to wear.

Emailing the big man a wish list, receiving a Christmas Eve box, and keeping tabs on Santa’s sleigh via an online tracker also made the list of most disliked modern rituals.

However, receiving a stocking, pantomimes, and eating turkey on Christmas day were among the most loved British festive traditions.

Visiting a Christmas market, carol singing and leaving milk and cookies out for Santa also made the ‘nice’ list of Christmas activities.

Some also revealed the worldwide traditions they would like to adopt - including tucking into Japan’s fried chicken dinner and marking ‘little Christmas’ on December 23rd like they do in Norway.

Iceland’s tradition of giving a book on Christmas, having a barbecue instead of a turkey dinner with all the trimmings as they do in New Zealand, and enjoying a Christmas Eve sauna in the style of Finland also made the list.

A spokesperson for St Pierre said: “For a lot of families, keeping up with Christmas traditions is an important part of the season and it is what makes this time of year so special.

“However, there are some modern customs which have made their way into people’s homes over recent years.

"It’s been interesting to see the nation’s take on these and even more interesting to hear which global dining traditions Brits would most like to adopt.”

When comparing countries, 32 per cent think our festive customs are mostly inspired by other cultures, rather than being original.

And 20 per cent even believe certain places are better at celebrating Christmas than we are, with the US, Germany, and Norway taking the top spots for this.

As a result, 30 per cent are keen to spend this magical time of year in another country, with 22 per cent already having done so.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found a third enjoy any rituals that involves food or family recipes and 36 per cent claim most of what they do at home revolves around it.

But 21 per cent have their own rituals outside of what is considered ‘typical’, with 16 per cent seeing Christmas as the perfect time to start a new tradition.

Although 24 per cent claim they take part in certain things each year because they feel like they have to.

Nearly half (48 per cent) also admitted they still carry out some of their family heritages they experienced as a child.

A spokesperson for St Pierre added: “It’s great to see food coming in as the number one thing people most enjoy about Christmas – and it’s no wonder as not only is it the perfect time to indulge but it’s also a special time for making memories.

"Food is more than a meal on your plate; it’s the nostalgia of growing up, the family recipes that come out once a year and a wonderful way to bring people together – no matter where we are in the world.”

2