Press release -
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS AT 7.00 P.M. ON CHRISTMAS EVE
- Decorating the Christmas tree is top moment to get Brits in the festive mood
- Receiving Christmas cards guaranteed to spark that first ‘Festive Feeling’ for one in five
- Brits prefer sipping mulled wine to kissing under the mistletoe
- Last recommended posting date for First Class mail is Monday 21st December
21.12.15: With Christmas Day just around the corner, Christmas parties and Secret Santa’s in full swing, new research from Post Office reveals that on average, the ‘festive feeling’ is set to kick in at 7.00 p.m. on 24th December.
For one in six (16 per cent) its takes until the end of Christmas Day to get the festive feeling, with nearly one in five (17 per cent) actually enjoying Boxing Day more than Christmas Day itself.
When it comes to what gets us in the Christmas spirit it is still the traditional elements that really bring some Christmas cheer. Decorating the Christmas tree is the UK’s favourite festive task with over two thirds (38 per cent) citing it as top of the list to kick-start the seasonal joy according to the survey of 2,000 people. The more modern traditions, such as secret Santa and donning your favourite Christmas jumper, don’t live up to the classic festive traditions of receiving Christmas cards. Shopping for gifts is also further down the list of moments to get you in the mood, with 18 per cent of respondents saying it gets them feeling festive.
Sipping beats kissing as more Brits prefer a festive tipple than a Christmas kiss, with over one in ten (13 per cent) choosing a glass of mulled wine to get them in the seasonal mood over a smooch under the mistletoe (7 per cent).
Meanwhile, over one in five (21 per cent) say receiving their first Christmas card is guaranteed to inspire that festive feeling, and with Royal Mail’s latest recommended posting dates for First Class mail being today (Monday 21st December) Post Office is reminding people to get those cards in the post to loved ones.
Top 10 moments that give us the festive feeling:
- 1.Putting that first decoration on the Christmas tree
- 2.Hearing your first Christmas tune
- 3.Watching that first festive movie
- 4.Wrapping your first Christmas present
- 5.Switching on the Christmas lights
- 6.Taking a bite of your first mince pie
- 7.Visiting a Christmas market
- 8.Receiving your first Christmas card
- 9.Buying that first Christmas gift
- 10.Seeing the first Christmas decoration in the shops
The survey also reveals the UK gets so excited by Christmas that one in ten (11 per cent) begin planning for the big day as early as the summer. Women are more likely to plan ahead with almost a fifth (18 per cent) thinking about Christmas three months in advance compared to only one in 10 (10 per cent) men.
The study shows the differing activities across the country that gets us in the Christmas mood. In Belfast, hearing the first Christmas song tops the list, while for Glaswegians it’s decorating the Christmas tree. Meanwhile, those in Cambridge need to watch a festive movie to get the Christmas feeling.
Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer from Post Office says; “It’s nice to see that it’s still the traditional things that bring us the most joy at Christmas, from getting the Christmas decorations up to receiving that first Christmas card.
“We want to help people get their Christmas Sorted. More of our branches are open for longer this year and with over 600 extra people working in branches over the festive period we want to make it as easy as possible to spread some Christmas cheer.”
For anyone sending last minute gifts and cards on 23rd December Royal Mail Special Delivery Service can still get Christmas Greetings to their destination on 24th December.
For further information on Post Office at Christmas including last posting dates and posting advice, please visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/christmas
Ends
Notes to editors:
Issued by: Post Office Press Office
Tel: 020 3077 2000
Email: postoffice2@eulogy.co.uk
Research was conducted by One Poll surveying 2,000 UK adults on behalf of Post Office between 10th December – 15th December 2015.
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The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
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