ALMOST three out of four homes this Christmas will have an artificial tree, only one in four will tune in to hear the Queen’s Speech and carol singers are now rare visitors to the door.
These are some of the findings of a new survey by Galt Toys which show that lots of Christmas traditions are dying out.
Other familiar traditions such as hanging mistletoe in the house, coins in the Christmas pudding are also in decline and children now hang out a sack rather than a stocking, in the hope of a bumper bundle of presents.
New Christmas traditions which are not so welcome include arguments over the tree lights and family tensions. Some people are even shunning traditional turkey in favour of takeaways.
But some traditions die hard and one surprise finding of the survey is half of all adults will hang out a Christmas stocking next Saturday night - and there is a good chance a toy of some sort will be amongst their gifts.
John McDonnell, managing director of Galt Toys, explains that it isn’t all doom and gloom. “It’s hard work keeping traditions alive but despite some of the charm being lost by the inevitable changes, our research has shown we’re still a nation of big kids when it comes to enjoying the festive period.
“Nearly 50% of adults still have a Christmas stocking and 63% of adults get toys to play with on Christmas Day. And, not surprisingly, the magic of Father Christmas still holds strong with 95% of families leaving food and drink out for him and his reindeer.”
Christmas traditions are changing as families compromise over different traditions from childhood and create new ones when they have children of their own. More than half of those surveyed (52%) create new Christmas traditions when they have children, despite 34% of people preferring the traditions from their own childhood. And some of the charm is being lost in the process.
John McDonnell concluded, “Whatever happens this Christmas in your household you can guarantee you will receive one of the following: chocolate (58%), soap or bubble bath (41%), a book (36%), socks (31%) or pyjamas (29%).”
