With the festive countdown well underway, a stark warning has been issued to Christmas hosts across the UK: check your shopping list twice or risk a last-minute panic. New research commissioned by supermarket giant Aldi has revealed the most commonly forgotten Christmas dinner items, with cranberry sauce topping the 'Missed List'.
The Scale of Festive Forgetfulness
The survey of 2,000 adults found that a significant 23% of people responsible for preparing the Christmas feast have previously forgotten a crucial component. The timing of these realisations adds to the festive stress, with a worrying 44% of those caught short only discovering their oversight on Christmas morning itself. A further 31% didn't realise until they were already deep into their cooking preparations.
"Christmas dinner is the most-hyped meal of the year," said Rachel Geary, spokesperson for Aldi. "While people sometimes miss an item when there's so much to think about, there's nothing worse than getting to Christmas Day and realising you've forgotten something."
Aldi's Top 10 Christmas Dinner Missed List
According to the findings, the humble cranberry sauce is the item most likely to be left off the shopping list. It is closely followed by cream for the Christmas pudding and stuffing for the turkey. Other regularly neglected basics include table crackers, cheese for the cheeseboard, and after-dinner mints.
The study also highlighted that 11% of hosts have found themselves short of carrots, and an equal number have served up their festive feast without gravy after failing to buy granules.
Here is the full top 10 list of the most forgotten Christmas dinner items:
- Cranberry sauce
- Cream
- Stuffing
- Christmas crackers for the table
- Gravy granules
- Carrots
- Cheese
- After-dinner mints
- Wine
- Custard
Why Do We Keep Forgetting?
The research suggests many fail to learn from their mistakes, with some admitting to making the same oversight year after year. For 19% of forgetful hosts, the reason is that the item isn't something they use regularly throughout the year. Another 19% blame being too engrossed in gift shopping to focus properly on the food.
The primary causes, however, are the overwhelming nature of festive preparations and poor planning. 36% said they felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to remember, while 29% admitted to failing to write a clear list. Procrastination also plays a part, with more than a quarter (27%) leaving their main festive food shop until Christmas Eve.
When the dreaded realisation hits, a third (33%) will try to improvise with a substitute. The survey uncovered some creative, if questionable, swaps, including using 'mayonnaise instead of butter' and 'crushed biscuits instead of breadcrumbs'. Perhaps as a result, exactly one in five people admitted their family and friends still tease them about their forgotten ingredient.
"That's why we'd urge shoppers to take tips from Santa and check their lists twice, just to make sure they don't miss anything off their Christmas shop," advised Rachel Geary. "If you're hosting, the best trick is to start early and build your shop around the staples, then add the finishing touches. Write a clear list, check it twice and keep a couple of freezer back-ups - it can really take the stress out of the big day."
The OnePoll survey also confirmed the nation's non-negotiable Christmas dinner elements. Roast potatoes reign supreme for 79% of Brits, followed by turkey (66%), carrots (62%), and pigs in blankets (61%).
