A fifth of Brits start planning for Christmas and the festive season as soon as November arrives, a new study has suggested.
According to research into the UK’s changing festive habits that retailer John Lewis carries out and publishes the findings of each year, the so-called ’12 days of Christmas’ are now becoming more like 45, as it’s claimed a good chunk of Brits start actively planing and preparing for Christmas from this month.
Many find themselves running around like headless chickens in the days leading up to Christmas Day in a bid to buy all those last-minute gifts and forgotten nibbles for the festive feasting, but on the flip side of that, others are super organised and like to get everything sorted as far in advance as they possibly can.
Apparently, John Lewis’ analysis found that this ‘super organised’ bunch equates to about 20% of Brits, and on top of that, it’s also “mostly women” who fall into this category.
The John LewisFestive Traditions Tracker report – which is based on analysis of its sales, coupled with annual YouGov polling – discovered that a fifth of people begin planning for the most wonderful time of the year as soon as 1 November rolls around.
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A fifth of Brits apparently start planning for Christmas in November / Credit: Freestocks | Jess Bailey (via Unsplash)
Early Christmas planning isn’t the only festive tradition John Lewis’ analysis has revealed or predicted either, as the retailer has also suggested that outdoor lights are practically on their way to becoming, if not already, the norm nowadays, and six in 10 are planning to buy some form of decoration for the outside their homes.
For a third of UK homes, one Christmas tree is apparently no longer enough, and it’s likely that two or more trees will be decorated instead.
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John Lewis’ Commercial Director, Kathleen Lewis, says the ongoing cost of living crisis is to account for customers planning ahead, as it’s a way to manage their finances and spread the cost.
The retailer revealed that sales of its Christmas ranges were 10% higher this October compared to the same month last year, and the number of visitors to its dedicated departments was also up 13%.
It’s according to retailer John Lewis’ annual Festive Traditions Tracker / Credit: Heidi Fin (via Unsplash)
Brits are expected to buy fewer and cheaper items this year too, and researchers also found that many will be putting more thought into the gifts they buy – with homemade presents “one of the biggest trends for 2023″.
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Then, when it comes to habits and traditions on Christmas Day itself, the analysis found that 43% of people think the day is a time for “sparkles, bright colours, and bold clothing”, but younger Brits aren’t quite as on board.
More than half of the 25-34-year-olds surveyed are planning to wear ‘comfy casuals’, while a third of 18-24-year-olds are even intent on staying in their pyjamas all day.
So what’s your take then? Is November too early? Or should we all be getting into the festive spirit as early as possible to make the most of it?
Featured Image – Kerkez (via iStockPhoto)
Christmas
A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 11 December – York Barbican
Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Massive festive event dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’ is returning to the North West
Daisy Jackson
The North West’s most extravagant festive event, with everything from a frozen skating pond to a snow-covered world filled with elves, will return just outside Greater Manchester this winter.
Dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’, LaplandUK recreates the home of Father Christmas himself right outside Greater Manchester.
The event was so popular last year, organisers are expecting more than one million people will join the queue for tickets when they go live this week – with tickets expected to sell out in hours.
Families who book tickets for LaplandUK – which range in price from £60 to £195 – will be greeted by hundreds of elves and other performers in a snow-covered landscape.
You’ll be able to visit the Lapland Toy Factory to make a toy for Santa’s sleigh; decorate gingerbead with Mother Christmas in the Lapland Bakery, as well as skating on a frozen pond and travelling through the Whispering Woods.
Every child leaves LaplandUK with a gift from Father Christmas.
The immersive experience takes around four and a half hours from start to finish, but the magic begins way before – ticket-holders are sent personalised invitation boxes (which you can pop in the freezer for extra magic for the kids).
LaplandUK has invested an additional £30m into its Cheshire site, which is the second location after a long-standing residency in Ascot.
Keeping this impressive festive event running are more than 2000 members of staff across the two sites.
It’s drawn in some very high-profile guests, too, with previous visitors including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Elton John, and the Beckhams.
The Lapland experience is based on eight best-selling books, written by founders Mike and Alison Battle.
LaplandUK will run from 7 November to 24 December 2026, with tickets ranging from £60 to £195.
Tickets for LaplandUK Manchester go on sale from 10am on Friday 27 March HERE, with the waiting room open from 9am.
Emily Sergeant -
1st November 2023 
