Political commentator Clare Muldoon has sparked debate after claiming Generation Z is "taking the fun out" of Christmas by abandoning traditional festive foods. Speaking on GB News, Muldoon criticized young people's rejection of classic Christmas dishes, as new research from Aldi reveals more than half of Millennials and Gen Z believe holiday meals need a modern makeover.
The survey of 2,000 people found 78 percent of Gen Z are ready to trade traditional Christmas fare for globally-inspired alternatives. According to Aldi's research, traditional Christmas staples are falling out of favor with younger generations. Mince pies topped the list of rejected items at 31 percent, followed by Christmas pudding at 29 percent and Christmas cake at 25 percent. Even turkey, long considered the centerpiece of Christmas dinner, is being shunned by 20 percent of young people.
Other traditional items facing rejection include cranberry sauce (25 percent), Brussels sprouts (24 percent), and bread sauce (22 percent). "They're regaling completely against any form of tradition. It's just awful," Muldoon said on GB News. The commentator expressed concern about alternative dietary choices, stating: "They are opting instead for anything from vegan pigs in blankets to roast duck to gluten-free mince pies... I mean, come on!"
Muldoon added, "It's a cultural shift. They're taking the fun out of it. Gluten-free, fat-free, where's the fun inthat?" According to Aldi's survey, Gen Z's ideal Christmas dinner looks markedly different from traditional fare. American-style loaded fries are favored by 29 percent of young people, with 26 percent preferring African-inspired dishes. Meanwhile, Chinese takeout favorites are the choice for 20 percent of Gen Z diners.
Traditional desserts are also being replaced, with cheesecake (33 percent), chocolate gateau (29 percent), and ice cream (25 percent) rising as preferred sweet options. Despite changing preferences, Aldi expects to sell over 2.3 million Christmas puddings this year, with single-serve options proving particularly popular.
The supermarket has responded to the evolution of tastes by launching a Christmas Pudding Exchange Service. This initiative allows shoppers to exchange any unwanted Christmas pudding at Community Donation Points instore, receiving a £12 voucher to spend on alternative items. The changing dining preferences of young consumers indicate they desire more personalized and contemporary holiday meals.
A recent survey conducted by the online supermarket Ocado reinforces this shift. It found younger chefs, particularly those born after 1997, are increasingly forgoing turkey for lighter or vegan alternatives. Looking at trends, duck is becoming the new turkey, with nearly one-third of Gen Z considering it for their Christmas Day meal. Alongside duck, vegan pigs in blankets and mushroom wellingtons are also gaining traction, with many young consumers exploring plant-based options.
To the delight of some, the sale of Yorkshire puddings, not typically associated with Christmas dinners, has surged by 147 percent from last year. Interestingly, this trend seems to be championed by older consumers, as two-fifths of those aged over 55 now regard Yorkshire puddings as winter essentials, compared to only 25 percent of Gen Z.
Other additions like cauliflower cheese are also undergoing transformations, with many opting for dairy-free versions. Ocado’s research indicated the emergence of alternative cooking methods, like using coconut oil for roasting potatoes instead of traditional goose fat. Surprisingly, over one-fifth of Gen Z now think of fried chicken as integral to their holiday feast.
Laura Harricks, the chief customer officer at Ocado, reflected on the data by stating, "While many of the Christmas items we know and love are still selling well, this data shows younger shoppers are enjoying Christmas in their own way."
Despite the criticism from commentators like Muldoon, the trend signifies how generations adapt cultural practices, with dining traditions likely to continue transforming as tastes diversify. This dynamic not only highlights shifting preferences but hints at possible festive tensions where traditional expectations meet modern choices.
