Published:13 December 2011

With a third (32%) of us pledging to spend less this Christmas, Morrisons has revealed that this could be bad news for the sprout and the Christmas pudding, with 23% and 10% of the nation respectively, saying they’d happily leave them out of the Christmas dinner.


Joining puddings and sprouts in the ‘Ditchmas League’ of Christmas dinner items we could easily live without are some previous untouchables including:
 
• Mince pies
• Bread sauce
• Cranberry sauce
 
But as the nation strips down its festive feast and gets back to basics, the research uncovers our ‘Capsule Christmas’ – the items we would never give up.  Our perfect stripped down dinner comprises just four classic components, good news for the 10% of families who this year will have just £5.00 per head to spend.  The ‘Fab Four’ comprises:
 
1. Roast turkey
2. Pigs in blankets
3. Stuffing
4. Roast vegetables
 
Richard Taylor, Morrisons Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications said:  “No one should have to compromise on their family’s Christmas dinner so we’ve made sure everyone can keep it a feast.  Our in-store butchers, bakers and produce experts have all worked hard to make sure Christmas dinner costs no more than £3.00 per person this year.”
 
No matter how stripped down we make dinner, 70% of us expect leftovers.  And we’re united in our tried and tested recycling recipes that include cold turkey sandwiches (70%), bubble and squeak (35%) and time old turkey tikka massala (30%).
 
While 2% of us will dine solo and 6% á deux, more than half of us will be joined by up to six people and one in ten by 10 hungry guests! 
 
And with even the most miniaturised of meals there’s still washing up, and 38% of us still vote it the worst Christmas job! 

Published 13/12/2011