British households typically spend 85 minutes dressing their Christmas trees with an average of 39 ornaments each, according to new research that reveals the nation's festive decorating habits.
The Heart of Christmas Traditions
A comprehensive poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas uncovered fascinating details about how UK families approach their tree decorating. The study, commissioned by Hallmark to mark the launch of their new festive ornament range, found that 80 per cent of people position their most meaningful ornaments at the front of the tree where they can be easily seen.
Typically, each tree contains approximately five decorations that hold significant sentimental value and another five that reflect the household's personality. The research revealed that British tree decorators own an average of three homemade baubles and four decorations that have been passed down through generations.
Sentimental Decorations Take Centre Stage
The emotional connection to Christmas decorations runs deep, with nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) placing special ornaments prominently because they trigger cherished memories. Another 43 per cent believe these treasured items deserve pride of place on their festive centrepiece.
Remarkably, 97 per cent of tree decorators have ornaments dating back two or more decades, with 11 per cent possessing decorations from as far back as the 1960s. This demonstrates how Christmas traditions withstand the test of time across British households.
This year, trees will feature an average of four new additions, with 21 per cent of those surveyed owning more than 50 tree decorations in total. The study also found that 44 per cent of people have gifted a loved one with a special ornament.
Personal Expression Through Decorating
Personal expression plays a significant role in tree decorating, with 65 per cent of respondents considering it important to have decorations that reflect their personality. This includes favourite TV, film and cartoon characters that bring a personal touch to the festive display.
The motivations for personalised decorations include bringing back personal memories (45 per cent), making homes feel more authentic during the festive season (44 per cent), and sparking joy whenever they're viewed (42 per cent). Other reasons include creating a genuine Christmas atmosphere (42 per cent), making trees feel unique (38 per cent), and enhancing the fun of decorating (35 per cent).
When it comes to decorating styles, 30 per cent describe their approach as 'traditional' using reds, greens and golds with plenty of nostalgia. Sixteen per cent identify as 'sentimental' decorators, while 15 per cent are 'colour-coordinators' and 11 per cent prefer a 'minimalist modern' style.
A Shared Family Experience
Tree decorating emerges as a cherished family activity, with 86 per cent considering it the official start of Christmas. The process typically involves multiple family members, with 58 per cent most likely to decorate with their partner, 43 per cent with their children, and 11 per cent with their parents.
The time investment varies significantly, with 34 per cent of people taking between 90 minutes and four hours to fully decorate their tree. This demonstrates the importance British families place on creating the perfect festive centrepiece.
A Hallmark spokesperson commented: "It's heartwarming to see how meaningful tree decorating is for families, with sentimental items and treasured heirlooms taking pride of place each year. Whether it's a handmade bauble or a quirky piece reflecting someone's character, each decoration tells its own story and adds a little Christmas magic."
The research also highlighted that 39 per cent of people consider matching new ornaments with existing ones as crucial when expanding their collection. Hallmark has developed a new tool that helps identify individual decorating styles to complement their latest ornament range.
