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GEN Z SLEIGHS TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DINNER: STUDY REVEALS 78% OF GEN Z WANT TO CHANGE UP TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD, WITH MINCE PIES, CHRISTMAS PUDDING AND CRANBERRY SAUCE MOST DISLIKED

• Over half of Gen Z want to introduce more modern foods like crispy fried chicken, deep-fried halloumi and pizza to the Christmas dinner table
• 64% of Gen Z want to swap Christmas pudding for an alternative dessert, while 67% of over 65s love the traditional favourite
• Supermarket Aldi launches Christmas Pudding Exchange Service which allows Brits to swap their unwanted pudding for a festive dessert they prefer

Gen Z and Millennials are turning their back on traditional Christmas favourites, including mince pies, Christmas pudding, and cranberry sauce, according to a new study released today.

A poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found that 78% of those born in 1996 or later would love to find space for plant-based roasts and global-inspired dishes at the dinner table on 25^th December.

When it comes to traditional favourites, over half of Millennials and Gen Z (54%) believe that old traditional Christmas dishes should include a modern twist, to remain relevant.

Of the traditional favourites, Christmas pudding is one of the least-loved festive foods, along with mince pies and Christmas cake, with over half (56%) describing festive classics, like Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding, as ‘dated’.

Following the results, Aldi has announced a Christmas Pudding Exchange Service for those tired of dried fruit sponge on the big day.

Launching today and running until 28^th December, shoppers can return any Christmas pudding, no matter where it was bought from, by dropping it off at a Community Donation Point in store and emailing photographic evidence to christmaspuddings@aldi.co.uk.

In return, they’ll receive a £10 voucher to purchase a new dessert from Aldi’s extensive range, which includes the NEW Specially Selected Melting Bombes (£6.49, 335g), the Specially Selected Marbled Roulade (£3.99, 425g/445g) and the Specially Selected Belgian Chocolate Ganache Pinecones (£3.99, 210g).

The top 10 Christmas foods that Gen Z and Millennials are turning their back on:

1. Mince pies – 31%

2. Christmas pudding – 29%

3. Christmas cake – 25%

4. Cranberry sauce – 25%

5. Brussels sprouts – 24%

6. Bread sauce – 22%

7. Chestnuts – 21%

8. Brandy butter – 20%

9. Turkey – 20%

10. Trifle – 19%

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: “At Aldi, we’re aware that tastes are evolving, so whether you want turkey and all the trimmings, or loaded fries and pizza for Christmas, we have something for everyone!

“This Christmas, we’re launching a Christmas Pudding Exchange Service to help customers end their meal with a dessert they love. But don’t worry if you are a Christmas pud lover, we have a fantastic, innovative range this year, including single-serve options for just 89p.”

The likes of loaded fries, crispy fried chicken and even pizza are things that Gen-Z would most like to be at the table for Christmas Dinner, whilst cheesecake (33%), chocolate gateau (29%), and ice cream (25%) are amongst those preferred as festive desserts.

61% of Gen Z think they’re still likely to see their parents dish up a Christmas pud this year though, even if nobody likes it.

It’s not all doom and gloom for the traditional classic as, across all age groups, 73% of Brits still enjoy it.

Data from Aldi shows that single portions of Christmas puddings, suitable for 1 or 2 people are becoming more popular. The supermarket expects to sell over 2.3 million Christmas puddings in total this year.

This year Aldi has an array of puddings for those lovers, including the Specially Selected Marc de Champagne Christmas Pudding (£4.99, 400g), the NEW Specially Selected Maple & Orange Christmas Pudding (£9.99, 800g) and the NEW Specially Selected Gingerbread & Butterscotch Christmas Pudding (£8.99, 800g).

Additional research from the supermarket found that the main reasons Brits would like to change up Christmas dinner is to fit personal taste preferences better (34%), to be more inclusive for dietary restrictions (27%) and to be more exciting or adventurous (26%).

For Gen Z, two-thirds (67%) think it’s important that their Christmas dinner is Instagram-worthy!

The most popular cuisines Gen Z would like to see influence their Christmas meal are American foods like loaded fries (29%), African-inspired dishes (26%), and Chinese food (20%) rounding off the top three.

For more information on the Exchange Service, including T&Cs, please visit:

Christmas Pudding Competiton | ALDI UK

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact Laura Starck at Taylor Herring:
laura.starck@taylorherring.com