Revealed: Number of Brits who have put up their Christmas decorations

We may not know how we will be celebrating Christmas yet but, intent on injecting some festive cheer into lockdown, 7% of Brits have already put up their decorations.

While the government decides whether we’re allowed to mix households or travel to celebrate, a survey of almost 5,000 people has revealed that many of us are keen to get into the festive spirit.

When asked if they had put up Christmas decorations already, 78% of the UK adults surveyed said they had not. But almost 350 respondents admitted they were already filling up with festive spirit.

The most likely to be bringing baubles down from the loft are those aged 18 to 24, and the least likely the over-65s.

In the past, a Christmas tree would be put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, but nowadays that’s considered far too late by most people.

Traditionalists believe the right time is 12 days before Christmas.

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) has said that from 1 December is fine, but suggests that 11 December is a good compromise, being in the middle of the season and a couple of weeks after Advent. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas which makes it 1 December in 2020, and finishes on Christmas Eve.

The UK government has repeatedly emphasised its hope for people to be able to enjoy a traditional Christmas this year, but has warned that nothing can be guaranteed.

The dilemma of whether to ease restrictions, with the risk of renewed spread of coronavirus, or to ban large get-togethers, looms large.

Matt Hancock told Sky News on Friday: “It of course won't be like a normal Christmas, there will have to be rules in place.”

Hancock said he was working with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - which manage their own policies on combating the pandemic - for a UK-wide approach to rules for Christmas.

But the Health Secretary said he hoped that current restrictions, which include a strict lockdown in England, could be eased to "allow for a bit more of that normal Christmas that people really look forward to".

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