- Over half of the UK (55%) will video call family and friends to say ‘Merry Christmas’ this year[1], twice as many as 2019[2]
- Households are preparing for a digital Christmas with festive TV screen time increasing to 5 hours 30 minutes – up by a third (31%) compared to last year[3]
- Sheffield will spend the most time on the sofa watching 7 hours and 48 minutes of Christmas TV, 3 hours 2 minutes longer than Edinburgh[4]
- Four fifths (86%) of Brits will shop through a screen this year as for the first time more than half of presents will be bought online[5]
- With households spending more time on screens and Wi-Fi gadgets high on Christmas lists, Uswitch.com offers tips on how to stay connected.
As coronavirus restrictions push consumers towards a digital Christmas, over half (55%) of the UK plan to wish family and friends a ‘Merry Christmas’ via video calling apps this year[1], reveals Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
The number of people set to video call between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day has doubled since last year (28%), while a quarter of Brits (24%) admit they only started communicating this way since the first lockdown began in March[2].
An average of 5 hours 30 minutes is predicted to be spent in front of the box over Christmas, which is a 31% increase from last December. That means 202 million hours of Christmas films or box sets across the three festive days – the equivalent of watching ‘Elf’ over 125 million times[3].
Regions spending most time watching festive films and box sets 2020[4]
| UK region | Most amount of time anticipated watching Christmas films and box sets |
| Sheffield | 7 hours 48 minutes |
| Birmingham | 6 hours 18 minutes |
| Norwich | 6 hours 12 minutes |
| Liverpool | 6 hours 6 minutes |
| Bristol | 5 hours 54 minutes |
Source: Uswitch.com
Regions spending least time watching festive and box sets 2020[4]
| UK region | Least amount of time anticipated watching Christmas films and box sets |
| Edinburgh | 3 hours 54 minutes |
| Belfast | 4 hours 6 minutes |
| Nottingham | 4 hours 12 minutes |
| Newcastle | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Brighton | 5 hours |
| Plymouth | 5 hours |
Source: Uswitch.com
Sheffield will be spending the most time sat on sofas this Christmas as they average 7 hours 48 minutes binge-watching Christmas movies or box sets, while Edinburgh spare just 3 hours 54 minutes for festive films[4].
Screens are also set to be used for shopping too as four fifths (86%) of consumers say they’ll be browsing the web for present ideas. And for the first time ever, over half of Christmas gifts (55%) will be bought online, up from 45% last year[5].
Christmas shoppers are set to spend four hours trawling the web for gifts[5], with more than half (57%) of consumers avoiding the supermarkets by completing their Christmas food shop online[6].
Predictions show that 12 hours per person will be spent using a digital device for Christmas related activities including gift shopping, video calling, food shopping as well as streaming Christmas films and boxsets[6].
Average time per person spent using digital screens this December
| Christmas digital activity | Hours predicted to be spent in front of a screen |
| Watching Christmas films or box sets | 5 hours 30 mins |
| Gift shopping | 4 hours |
| Video calling | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Food shopping | 1 hour |
| TOTAL | 12 hours |
Source: Uswitch.com
Digital items are swarming Christmas wish lists as four in ten (39%) adults are planning to purchase at least one item of technology this Christmas. One in ten shoppers (11%) are looking to get a new laptop or PC while 9% are on the hunt for a smart TV, tablet or gaming console[7].
With the increased amount of time households are set to spend online, Uswitch.com offers tips on how to improve your internet connection at home to ensure devices can run simultaneously and smoothly.
Nick Baker, broadband expert at Uswitch.com comments: “Considering the events that have played out this year, it’s not surprising that consumers are turning to digital devices to keep the Christmas spirit alive and stay in contact with loved ones.
“What is impressive though, is the sheer amount of hours we are planning to spend on our screens this December, whether that be on mobiles, laptops, tablets or TVs – not to mention all the additional tech Brits will be unwrapping over the Christmas holidays.
“With nearly all digital products requiring an internet connection, it’s essential to check that you’ve got the right service to match your needs.
“If you are struggling, try a couple of simple steps, such as moving your router to a better position or purchasing a Wi-Fi extender, to get a more stable connection throughout your home.”
Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.
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