More than a third of Brits (40%) would swap all their Christmas presents for a holiday

Tuesday, Dec 09, 2025 0

New research from P&O Cruises has revealed that more than a third of Brits (40%) would swap all their Christmas presents for an impromptu warm-weather holiday this festive season.

The study* highlighted a substantial appetite for festive getaways, with one in two respondents (53%) claiming they would gladly trade Christmas with the in-laws for some winter sun this month.

The research also revealed that a quarter of Brits (24%) say their New Year’s resolution for 2026 is to travel more, with Millennials (38%) and Gen Z (35%) driving this trend – whilst 67% of Millennials secretly research winter sun holidays between Christmas and New Year’s.

Other key findings include:

Londoners are most likely to ditch Christmas with their in-laws (60%) this year, versus just 44% of people living in the South West – the region most loyal to family
Millennials are the keenest generation (54%) to swap all their Christmas presents for a festive getaway, with men (43%) more interested in this trade-off than women (38%)
One in three Brits (32%) say they need a holiday to recover from hosting at Christmas
Almost half of the population (48%) say the best Christmas present their boss could give them this year is extra annual leave to take a holiday
More than a quarter of Brits (28%) have argued with loved ones about who they’ll spend Christmas with

With the average Brit expected to spend in excess of £500 on presents and food this Christmas**, a P&O Cruises festive holiday is a great alternative for people looking to escape to warmer climes – with this 14-night Caribbean Islands Fly Cruise currently starting from just £2,329 per person based on two people sharing a balcony cabin.

P&O Cruises offers a varied programme of winter sun sailings to destinations across Europe and the Caribbean, and guests can enjoy the magic of Christmas in some of the world’s most picturesque destinations.

From seasonal menus to live family entertainment, on board children’s activities and regular cruises sailing from Southampton, P&O Cruises is perfectly placed to accommodate this demand.

Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it can come with a few familiar pressures. Our new research shows that many of us are looking for festivities that feel brighter, warmer, and far more relaxing. A festive holiday with P&O Cruises means sunshine instead of snow, unique experiences and family time together without the stress. Whether guests choose the Caribbean or the Canary Islands, it’s a truly memorable way to enjoy the season.”

Festive highlights from P&O Cruises include:

14-night Caribbean Islands Fly Cruise on Britannia

Britannia’s 14-night roundtrip cruise from Barbados on 12 December 2025 (B529) sails to Saint Maarten, Antigua, St. Vincent, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Curacao and Aruba. Prices currently start from £2,329 per person based on two people sharing a suite.