Brits favour plastic Christmas trees, open presents (and often start drinking) BEFORE lunch, love roast spuds most… and a quarter ask relatives for cash to cover hosting: MailOnline poll shines a light on the country’s festive plans

Brits prefer plastic Christmas trees, can’t wait to buy gifts at lunch and love fries the best.

An exclusive MailOnline poll gives a fascinating insight into how the country will spend the festive season.

Research from Redfield & Wilton Strategies shows that people are choosing to start celebrating early, with three-quarters having a tree and 25 percent having one up by the end of November.

However, most of them prefer fake over real, with a difference of 48 percent to 27 percent.

The most popular time frame for putting up a Christmas tree is early December, with 37 percent of those surveyed planning to do so.

Around six in 10 entertain family or friends at home over Christmas, while 19 per cent entertain at someone else’s home.

Two percent are at work, 1 percent are on vacation and, unfortunately, 14 percent will spend December 25 alone.

The majority of Britons prefer artificial Christmas trees to real ones – by a margin of 48 per cent to 27 per cent. And the fifth one has no tree at all

A quarter of those with a Christmas tree said they would have it up by the end of November.

Interestingly, about a quarter of those who host expect to ask their visitors to contribute to help cover costs, although 70 percent are not in favor of the idea.

Interestingly, about a quarter of those who host expect to ask their visitors to contribute to help cover costs, although 70 percent are not in favor of the idea.

It seems Britons are eagerly awaiting the big day to open their gifts. Of the 87 percent who will give or receive gifts, nearly a fifth intend to open their gifts on or before Christmas Eve.

Another 54 percent of those surveyed finish work on Christmas morning, while only 22 percent expect to wait until late.

The most popular time for the main holiday is lunch (46 percent), although a surprising 13 percent choose Christmas Eve. About 38 percent gain weight to eat dinner on December 25th.

The survey shows that Britons are quite traditional in their eating habits. When asked to choose five staples, nearly three-quarters chose fried potatoes, 73 percent chose turkey and 54 percent pigs in blankets.

Brussels sprouts, often seen as divisive, were preferred by 44 percent of those surveyed.

Despite the popularity of fried potatoes, 30 percent of respondents wanted mashed potatoes for their feast.

Of Britons who plan to drink alcohol on Christmas Day, 16 per cent said they would drink a large amount – more than eight units.

And there was a resounding vote of confidence in Christmas hats: 56 percent plan to wear them at the table, while 33 percent don’t plan to do so.

Those surveyed made some startling confessions about their drinking habits.

Two thirds intended to drink alcohol on Christmas Day, versus 21 percent who planned to stay sober.

A third planned to drink only a small amount, up to four units, while almost half said four to eight units.

About 16 percent said they expected to drink a large amount – more than eight units. The recommended weekly maximum is 14 units.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that the same proportion of respondents said they suggested starting drinking before noon.

Two in five planned to have their first drink between noon and 3pm, 18 per cent between 3pm and 6pm, and a quarter would wait until 6pm.

Despite the frivolity, Britons insist they have not lost sight of the religious significance of Christmas.

56 percent consider it a Christian holiday, 9 percent consider it a pagan holiday, and 19 percent consider it both.

:: On December 19, Redfield & Wilton Strategies surveyed 1,500 people online. The results were weighted to take into account the broader population.

The survey shows that Britons are quite traditional in their eating habits. When asked to choose five staple foods, nearly three-quarters chose fried potatoes, 73 percent said turkey and 54 percent said pigs in blankets.

56 percent consider Christmas a Christian holiday, 9 percent consider it pagan, and 19 percent consider it both.