- A surprising 6% of Brits sit down to Christmas dinner between 11:00–11:59 AM.
- The majority prefer traditional mid-afternoon timings, with 40% eating between 1:00–2:59 PM and 24% between 3:00–4:59 PM.
- Regional differences show Sheffield as the nation’s earliest diners (15% eating between 11:00–11:59 AM), while factors like children, cooking logistics and household routines may influence the ideal start time.
Timing is everything on Christmas Day, but just how late or early do Brits really start their dinner?
As families continue preparing for Christmas, a new survey of 1,907 UK respondents from food box delivery service HelloFresh has revealed the most popular (and unexpected!) times for sitting down to Christmas dinner.
The results may surprise you and could spark some lively debate around dinner tables this December.
As expected, the data showed the majority of Brits are creatures of habit when it comes to their festive feast, with 40% of respondents admitting they will start eating between 1:00 PM and 2:59 PM. The second most common slot is between 3:00 PM and 4:59 PM, chosen by 24% of those surveyed.
While these mid-afternoon times may seem sensible, the real shocker comes from the early risers. According to the data, 6% of respondents confess to starting their Christmas dinner between 11:00 AM and 11:59 AM. Yes, you read that correctly
Further down the scale, 12% of respondents start between 12:00 PM and 12:59 PM, while 9% eat between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Just 5% of Brits eat after 6:30 PM, and astonishingly, 4% of the nation go even earlier, tucking in before 11:00 AM.
When it comes to regions, Sheffield leads the way, with 15% starting their dinner between 11:00 AM and 11:59 AM, while Glasgow follows in second, with 9% opting for a notoriously early roast.
Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, believes timings can make or break your Christmas feast. “Traditionally, Christmas dinner started in the early afternoon to give people time to digest before the evening, but it isn’t a strict rule.”
“There are practical factors to consider, including when people start drinking, when the turkey comes out of the oven and how many courses you are serving. A 1:30-2:30 PM start is ideal because it allows a relaxed pace without feeling rushed and still leaves time for a mid-evening dessert or cheese board.”
The best time depends on the household. “Families with young children may be up at the crack of dawn, which often means they are ready to eat much earlier,” explains Mimi. “While those hosting teens and adults may prefer a long, leisurely feast later on instead.”
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