Where do the UK’s most festive people live?

Almost 30 per cent of Londoners will have decorated for Christmas before the end of November

Gemma Francis
Tuesday 24 November 2020 17:50 GMT
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Christmas in London
Christmas in London (AFP via Getty Images)

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A study of 2,000 adults found the people of Birmingham love Christmas more than those in any other part of the country, with more than three quarters of residents declaring it the best time of the year.

And 35 per cent of those who live in the city said their street tends to go ‘all out’ when it comes to decorating the outside of their homes.

It also emerged that almost three in 10 Londoners will have their Christmas decorations up before the end of November, while just under a fifth of Bristolians start looking forward to the festive period months in advance.

But at the other end of the scale, less than two thirds of Norwich residents consider Christmas to be a highlight of their year.

More than one in five even went as far as to say they don’t look forward to it at all.

The study, commissioned by Next, found that despite half of UK adults feeling that Covid has put a dampener on this year’s celebrations, 46 per cent are planning to make more of an effort to ensure a good end to 2020.

One in seven will even be spending more money to make this festive period one to remember, with that extra cash going on Christmas presents (67 per cent), indoor decorations (41 per cent) and even the tree itself (34 per cent).

A spokesperson for Next said: “It’s generally considered that everywhere gets pretty excited for Christmas — but apparently not as much as Birmingham.

“This Christmas looks likely to be different, but it seems that one thing that won’t change is the festive spirit in many cities across the country.

“In fact, many are planning to go bigger and better than ever on presents and decorations this year to make sure they end a less than perfect 2020 with a brilliant Christmas.”

The study found 73 per cent of UK adults see Christmas as one of the best times of the year — with 16 per cent getting excited months before the big day.

As a result, a fifth decorate their homes before December has even begun, with the task of decking the halls taking an average of almost four hours.

Top five most festive cities

1. Birmingham

2. Bristol

3. Cardiff

4. London

5. York

SWNS

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