Nearly a third of British adults are set to celebrate a 'Friendsmas' this December, marking a significant shift in festive traditions away from solely family-centric gatherings. The trend is being spearheaded by younger generations, with new research highlighting its growing cultural importance.
Gen Z Embraces the Friendsmas Celebration
A comprehensive survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by restaurant chain ASK Italian, found that 30% of all Brits intend to hold their own Christmas celebration with friends this year. This figure rises dramatically among Generation Z, where 45% are planning a Friendsmas event. Notably, 11% of Gen Z respondents admitted they actually prefer their Friendsmas to traditional family Christmas Day.
The concept involves friends gathering for their own festive party, typically on a date separate from the 25th of December, with December 20th emerging as the most popular choice. For many, it's a welcome respite; 16% of participants stated it offers a chance to enjoy the holidays free from family tensions.
What Makes Friendsmas So Popular?
The appeal of Friendsmas lies in its core components of fun, friendship, and food. According to the study, the top draws are the opportunity for socialising and laughter, coupled with indulging in delicious food and drinks. The occasion is taken so seriously that nearly a quarter of those who celebrate say it is 'more important' than other customs like putting up Christmas lights or organising a Secret Santa gift exchange.
Caitlin Hoey, senior brand manager at ASK Italian, commented on the findings: "Heading out for a meal to share great food with great people isn't a revolutionary pastime, but there's a reason it came out on top in our research." She added, "Friendsmas has been growing year after year and we're convinced it's here to stay, only getting bigger and brighter. It marks a cultural shift toward celebrations that are more inclusive, more meaningful, and all about the people you choose."
Establishing New Festive Traditions
The research, conducted by OnePoll, reveals that Friendsmas is not a fleeting fad. On average, those who partake have been doing so for nine years. A typical celebration involves a group of six friends, often connected through work, school, or university.
While organising the event can have its challenges—47% found agreeing on a date difficult—the activities are firmly established. The most popular plans include:
- Going out for a festive meal
- Holding a Secret Santa gift exchange
- Playing Christmas-themed games
Other beloved traditions include visiting Christmas markets (22%), having a festive film marathon (18%), and holding a Christmas jumper competition (13%).
The Top 10 Best Parts of Friendsmas:
- Having fun and socialising
- The laughter
- Enjoying good food and drinks
- Making memories with friends
- The conversation and chatting for hours
- The banter and jokes
- Reminiscing on old times
- Telling stories with my friends
- Finding out the gossip
- Avoiding family stress
As Caitlin Hoey concludes, the desire is to provide "the best full-on Friendsmas experience," a goal that now sits at the top of the Christmas list for millions across the UK.
