Connie Limon asked:


In this article, read about the differences between the older and younger generations’ preferred menus and activities for Christmas Dinner festivities in Britian.

 

The archetypal Christmas meal:

 



Is attended by about 5 guests

Will start at 2:24 p.m.

Menu will include:  roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, chipolatas and almost everyone is expected to eat turkey

Thick gravy is preferred

About half will drink a toast in champagne and the other half will choose sparkling wine

A combination of Christmas pudding, mince pies, chocolates and Christmas cake is served for desserts

Cheese is also available



 

For the younger generation:

 



There is evidence to prove Brussels Sprouts is on the way out of their Christmas dinner menu

The age group of 18-24 year olds may still have them on their plates, but fewer than 7% rate them as a favorite Christmas dish

Roast potato still looks good for all age groups

Christmas pudding is on the decline for the younger generation

Some in this age group expressed a desire for mashed as well as roast potato

Parsnips, peas and broccoli are in the same category with sprouts on the Christmas menu for this group – on their way out



 

The older generation states their ideal festive food is prawn cocktail, turkey and sprouts with red wine and Christmas pudding for dessert.  The younger crowd prefers sage and onion stuffing, sausages and mashed potatoes with chocolates instead of the pudding.

 

Women will do most of the cooking on Christmas Day; however, about 45 % of men will also cook.  It seems that more men than women will be doing the washing up or loading of the dishwasher after the festive meal.

 

Where is the meal served?

 

About 89% will join in some form of celebration on Christmas Day.  Half of these will have the meal at home at the dining table, a few will eat in the living room, possibly in front of the TV and a third will have it with extended family or in-laws and only 2% will have it with friends.

 

After the festive meal, the younger generation will slump on the sofa and watch films or play board games.  Some of these are expected to fall asleep on the sofa and about 30% will go for a walk.

 

In comparison, the over-55s are more active, 45 % will choose to walk off some of the Christmas calories and only about 38% are likely to take a nap.

 

And so that seems about what the British do for Christmas dinner…….

 

Source:  The British Christmas Dinner 2007 - “Pass The 3.63 Roast Potatoes, Dear”; Major study by Sainsbury’s reveals the UK’s archetypal Christmas meal; The roast potato is king, it’s turkey breast over leg and we’ll each eat three and a half desserts; 77 per cent of women expect to be in charge of the cooking - but so do 45 per cent of men; Some established traditions may be in decline amongst the young, including the sprout. M2PressWIRE [serial online]. December 24, 2007. Available from: Newspaper Source, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 11, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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