Brits’ favourite date for ‘Friendsmas’ revealed – as 70% plan to meet up with pals to celebrate
FESTSIVE ‘Friendsmas’ celebrations are typically held on 14th December, according to research.
A survey of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found seven in 10 are planning to meet up with pals this holiday season to celebrate.
Reasons for enjoying festivities with friends over family are because it’s a more relaxed and informal atmosphere (27 per cent), while 24 per cent love to express gratitude and appreciation for their friendships.
Less stress (38 per cent), avoiding family tensions (37 per cent) and simply having more fun (34 per cent) also topped the list.
And half of women claimed the event is less stressful than a family Christmas, compared to 39 per cent of men.
The research was commissioned by Lily O’Brien’s chocolates, which has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Scanlon, who said: “Friendsmas has become a recognised moment in the seasonal calendar.
“It’s not just about celebrating; it’s about taking a moment out of the Christmas chaos to connect with the friends who feel like family – the ones you really know.
“It gives us a chance to relax, share laughs, and create new memories outside of the traditional obligations.
“Plus, it’s the perfect time to reflect and appreciate the friendships that help us through the year.”
The survey also found more than half (56 per cent) claim as they get older it becomes harder to find time to catch up with friends over Christmas.
And while people typically start planning their festive get-togethers in November, 34 per cent do so in October or earlier.
This is because 63 per cent find squeezing in a Christmassy catch up a challenge due to conflicting social events (43 per cent), different work hours (32 per cent) and family commitments (25 per cent).
The study, carried out via OnePoll.com, found the average person has been celebrating Friendsmas for 10 years with the same group of loved ones – with 33 per cent marking the festivities with their childhood friends.
The top traditions for a Friendsmas celebration include sharing secret Santa gifts, visiting Christmas markets and enjoying a movie marathon.
Home Alone (45 per cent), The Holiday (37 per cent) and A Christmas Story (37 per cent) are the go-to festive film choices for a night with friends.
The study also revealed the most popular songs played at Friendsmas shindigs were ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ by Wizzard and Wham’s ‘Last Christmas.’
Angela said: “For me, the recipe is simple – it’s spending quality time at home with my favourite people – no pretends, no pretension.
“Fire on, filter off, plenty of comfort food, good music and a serious spread of sweet treats.
“When it comes to entertainment, I like to throw in a bit of surprise, whether it’s an unexpected theme or a cheeky twist on a traditional Christmas game. It’s all about keeping guests on their toes.”
ANGELA SCANLON'S TOP TIPS FOR A MEMORABLE FRIENDSMAS:
1. Make time for your tribe
Christmas can get chaotic, so pop a date in the diary nice and early. It’ll give you something to look forward to, and guarantees you’ll get that quality time before the festive whirlwind fully kicks in.
2. Dial up the ‘merriment’
Get everyone to rock up in their tackiest, most outrageous Christmas jumpers, and then turn it into a mini runway show. Or add a cheeky theme to spice up your Secret Santa – think “re-gift roulette” or “sexy surprise”.
3. What’s a party without a fab spread?
When it comes to menu-planning, make life easy with comforting festive nibbles, like sausage roll wreaths or charcuterie trees.
For a simple but effective dessert, whip up a Pinterest-worthy sharing board using fruits, nuts and pastries, with a selection of delicious chocolates.
4. A shared playlist
If your friends are like mine, they’ll have strong opinions on music choices. In the group WhatsApp I give my crew a window to share songs to be added to a playlist. No rules, no judgement. If it’s requested, I play it. Everyone gets access to the playlist after.
5. Switch off and be present
Whether you’re playing host or attending a Friendsmas get-together, use the time to switch off from all the stress that comes with the festive season. Be present in the moment, leave your phone at the door and focus on catching up and appreciating the friends around you.