Restrictions on celebrations mean Christmas day will look very different for many. With the majority of Brits (81%) having a scaled-back Christmas dinner, food lovers are ditching the traditional turkey dinner and Christmas pud for an array of foods they enjoy more.

According to a new study by recipe box giant, Gousto, whilst almost two-thirds (60%) of people say celebrating Christmas with food is their favourite way to celebrate, 40% don’t really enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner and only eat it because they don’t want to break with family tradition.

As a result, a quarter (24%) of the nation will be embracing the changing, scaled-back, face of Christmas this year to eat something completely different.

To celebrate the launch of their new festive range, Gousto has uncovered what Brits REALLY think about the traditional Christmas dinner. Do we really like turkey? Is it finally time that sprouts were kicked to the curb? And what on earth is the obsession with Christmas pud?!

Christmas pudding – not Brussels sprouts – is the most disliked part of the traditional Christmas dinner, closely followed by mince pies and turkey. Continuing the theme of 2020 where anything goes, over one in ten would rather have fish and chips (14%), Chinese takeaway (14%), curry (13%) or pizza (12%). One in 10 would opt for pasta or burgers instead.

Among the least liked festive foods are:

Kathryn Huxtable, Food Director at Gousto says: “We’re a nation bound by traditions, which means millions of us are eating traditional Christmas dinners because we feel we have to, rather than because we enjoy eating it. These findings show that people are secretly hungry for something a bit different and more adventurous when it comes to Christmas dinner. 

“With celebrations happening in smaller groups this year, 2020 is giving us the chance to press the reset button and make our own festive food rules. Gousto’s Christmas offering helps people do just that. From Alpine-inspired raclette and fondue to truffle linguine and festive burgers with loaded fries, there’s a huge range of untraditional yet irresistible festive meals, to suit every taste and every celebration.”

As hosting for the masses is put on hold, the Christmas day chefs sigh a secret sigh of relief! Brits have voted the hours of prep (32%) and the stressful supermarket shop (27%) as the least enjoyable things about hosting the big day.

One in five (21%) say they’ve wanted to cook a different Christmas meal in the past but worried what their guests would think so they’re looking forward to changing the menu this year.