Who is changing Christmas dinner?

The traditional Christmas dinner in the UK seems to be evolving, at least according to the latest polls and Tesco Christmas Report. Young people - especially those in Generation Z - are changing what they eat for the holiday meal. Some classic dishes are all but disappearing on Christmas tables, while new items are being added.

Classic pigs in blankets from BBC Good Food Magazine

Things on the way out include Christmas pudding, which is expected to appear on only 28 percent of tables this season overall, down from 44 percent last year. For those age 18 to 34, the number plummets to a mere 8 percent enjoying the dish. To replace the pudding, younger folks are reaching for chocolate desserts, cheesecake and ice cream.

Continuing with the dairy theme, although cheese remains a popular addition to Christmas meals, the type of cheese being consumed is changing. According to recent research, more young people are reaching for halloumi instead of the classics like cheddar, brie, and Stilton. Other items mentioned in the article are Brussels sprouts (going down), pigs in blankets (going up), and turkey (staying about the same).

4 comments

SigmaxDecember 17, 2021

Think that a number of shop bought Christmas puddings have a lot to answer for in their overall decline.

TovieDecember 17, 2021

Not from the UK, but we switched up 2 years ago and have continued it. Used to do Xmas very similar to Thanksgiving except maybe do a beef roast instead of turkey. My family loves our appetizers and we often find we've stuffed ourselves so well on the pre-dinner food that we barely have room for dinner when it's ready and never mind desserts. So we turned Xmas dinner into an appetizer feast and we all bring our favorites (and dessert). And anything goes, from a hummus platter with lamb, olives, tomatoes, cukes or chicken satay with peanut sauce to more traditional cheese and crackers or deviled eggs.

RinshinDecember 18, 2021

Having family members from Japan, Korea, and Southern California culture, our family Christmas meals were never traditional. But, I have continued to make cioppino for Christmas.

FoodycatDecember 20, 2021

I'm Gen X so I'm not the younger generation, but this year we're having a stuffed turkey breast, roasties, brussels sprouts, roast parsnips and butternut. We don't usually do a traditional turkey dinner so I thought it would be fun. We usually buy a little Christmas pudding on clearance and eat it in January when things are depressing.