2025 Christmas trends: convenience and group gatherings

AHDB predicts convenience cooking and group gatherings will shape 2025 Christmas food trends

Christmas 2025 promises a feast of flavour and innovation, as timeless traditions blend with modern convenience, according to AHDB’s festive food predictions.

Christmas gatherings are expected to be bigger and better than ever, as 80% of consumers plan on their celebrations being the same size, if not larger, than Christmas 2024, and almost two fifths of get-togethers are likely to feature six or more people (AHDB/YouGov Pulse, November 2025).

Festive meals will continue to be a central focus for Christmas budgets. Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Retail and Consumer Insight Analyst at AHDB, said: “Despite nearly half of consumers planning to cut back on overall Christmas spending, food remains a ‘protected spend’ in the eyes of consumers, similar to children’s gifts and Christmas trees.”

Unsurprisingly, when it comes to meat on the big day, turkey is likely going to remain the protein of choice for those looking to celebrate. However, Christmas day isn’t the only occasion important to consumers over the festive period and 75% of consumers plan on having at least one additional celebratory meal. Turkey will likely take less of a starring role at these occasions, with beef, lamb, pork and gammon expected to increase their share on plates (AHDB/YouGov Pulse, November 2025).

It’s good news for dairy, as 8 out of 10 consumers are planning on eating the same or more cheese over the festive period than they normally would (AHDB/YouGov Pulse, November 2025). Christmas pudding, mince pies, and Christmas cake are all top contenders for Christmas day desserts, likely accompanied by custards and creams, which are also deemed as essential for around a third of consumers (Sparkminds, November 2025).

Charlotte said: “Convenience is set to play a bigger role this Christmas, with one in five consumers admitting they find festive cooking stressful. We expect growing demand for ready-to-cook options that save time without compromising on taste or quality, even if it means paying a little extra.

“Air fryers will also remain a kitchen staple, with 41% of consumers planning to use one for at least part of their merry meal to help ease the pressure on Christmas Day chefs.” To read AHDB’s full Christmas predictions article, visit: https://ahdb.org.uk/news/consumer-insight-christmas-predictions-2025-a-potential-cracker-for-red-meat-and-dairy