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
Co-op Live appears to tease major Mariah Carey Christmas gig sending fans into a frenzy
Emily Sergeant
All we want for Christmas… is Mariah Carey in Manchester.
And maybe, just maybe, our Christmas wish might come true very soon, as Co-op Live has taken to social media today to tease its next gig announcement with its hundreds of thousands of followers, and without jumping to conclusions, it does appear to be hinting at the queen of Christmas herself making an appearance.
Look, we know it’s only July and right in the middle of summer, but even if you think it’s too early to be talking about the festive season, you have to admit that the potential of Mariah Carey coming to Manchester is worth getting excited any time of the year.
The US pop powerhouse last performed in our city nearly a decade ago now when she brought her famous All I Want For Christmasshow to the UK for the first time ever, taking to sold-out Manchester Arena stage on 10 December 2017.
Mariah has not performed in Manchester since, but all that could be set to change as Co-op Live has hinted that an announcement is ‘coming soon’.
Taking to its official social media platforms today, Co-op Live posted a very festive-themed AI video of snow falling on the arena as the camera zoomed in and the instrumental of Mariah’s absolutely iconic hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ playing in the background, and the caption hinting at the song’s title too.
Of course, we could be wrong, it might not be Mariah at all, but if the 300+ comments from fans in a frenzy thinking the same as us are anything to go by, it’s looking like we might be right.
“The countdown to Christmas is on,” Co-op Live said in its video, before letting fans know that they would be getting some form of confirmation soon.
So, is it Mariah then? What do you think? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.
Featured Image – Picryl
Christmas
Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year
Daisy Jackson
The festive light trail that proved to be a smash hit last winter will make a return to Manchester this year.
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland with 14 different installations, plus selfie spots along the route.
And there’ll be a limited Kids Go Free offer on select dates, as well as inclusive evenings with reduced capacity and lower audio levels.
Northern Lights attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its Heaton Park debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board.
This year, A Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Visitors will walk along Candy Cane Lane, admire a giant neon slinky, and ogle at shimmering nutcrackers.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops, and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Demand is expected to be high for this year’s festivities, with Early Bird tickets just released to get you the best value prices of the year.
Emma St.Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “The response to Northern Lights Manchester last year exceeded all of our expectations.
“The warmth and enthusiasm from visitors made it incredibly special for our team, and we’re delighted to be returning to Heaton Park with something completely new.
“Since January, we’ve been reimagining every part of the experience. A Christmas Time Machine takes visitors on a journey through the festive moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down. Nodding to the traditions we return to year after year, the nostalgia of Christmases gone by, and the excitement of creating new memories together.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back and share this next chapter of Northern Lights with families, friends and loved ones from across the region.”
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December. Visitor numbers will be reduced by 75%, with lower audio levels throughout the trail to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Northern Lights Manchester tickets
Kids Go Free offer – available on selected Off-Peak Early Bird dates until 31 August (or until allocation is exhausted. Use code KIDSLIGHTS before selecting tickets to unlock.
Early Bird Pricing
Peak tickets – from £17.25 including transaction fee
Off-peak tickets – from £13.75 including transaction fee
Emily Sergeant -
1st November 2023 
