Our big end of year seasonwatching report covering all things Christmas is live. To give you a taste of what to expect from the full 149-page report, we've collated five key takeout trends.
Sustainability, hedonism, premiumisation and convenience have been dominant drivers behind trends this year. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that all of these have come to define the festive season of 2024.
Festive Brekkie… With a Twist
We ring in the holidays this year with festive twists on our favourite breakfast items to kick off the feasting… as the saying goes, start as you mean to go on! And on Christmas, that means going 'all in' on fun, whimsy and gourmet indulgence… Think baked eggs with salmon and hollandaise, French toast casserole, blackforest pancakes, bacon and egg Danish, or perhaps even a cheeky fruit crumble. And there are hybrids galore, for the ultimate tongue-in-cheek twist – e.g. mince pie pancakes, panettone 'eggy bread', cheesecake-filled croissants. One of each please! With a hot choc to wash it down…
Stress-Free
Whether short on time, money or patience with family, Christmas 2024 looks set to be one of cortisol-curbing convenience. Make-at-home-Michelin-meal kits can be delivered to your door, and only require heating up and assembly. Meanwhile, takeaway Christmas lunches come hot and ready to devour – or if you fancy going out (and avoiding the washing up!), plenty of restaurants open their doors for the big day. And for those who do fancy some home cooking, but don't have the time for elaborate banquets… it's TikTok to the rescue – with everything from 5-minute recipes for party food, to 3-ingredient sweet treats, to recipe hacks for showstopping centrepieces (without the fuss!).
Pigs in Blankets 2.0
It looks like we're wrapped up in pigs and blankets more than usual this year, with the iconic dish not only trending in its own right – but also influencing other dishes. Indeed, pigs in blankets are finding their way into toasties, mac & cheese, pizzas, baked beans… even flavoured butter! And there are plenty of gourmet and global twists, too – as the likes of harissa, hot honey and more are used to elevate the cult staple. And for those who really can't get enough of the stuff – there's even a bottomless pigs in blankets pop-up featuring seven varieties. Tis the season (for pigs in blankets!).
Snackify the Holidays
Increasing numbers of people are throwing out the rulebook when it comes to what they eat – and when. They don't want to follow the traditional 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' formula – preferring instead to graze as they please. And what better time to lean into snackification, then Christmas – when it's all about round-the-clock indulgence anyway! Cue, therefore, lots of innovation in snacking formats, picky bits and mini meals. Think loaded 'turkey dinner' dips served with baguette croutons; baked feta, thyme and honey parcels; deep fried stuffing balls; Spanish-inspired patatas bravas and gilda skewers… just add a glass of fizz!
Over-The-Top Indulgence
We all know that calories don't count at Christmas… right?! After a long year of uncertainty it's no surprise that many are doubling down on this position. So for just the holidays, they're giving themselves a free pass to up the ante on already-indulgent dishes. For instance, if you're using up leftovers in a boxing day sando – why not turn it into a cheese toastie, loaded with pork stuffing, caramelised onion and sage butter. Or make Christmas dinner-loaded fries – e.g. oven chips piled up with turkey, bacon, cranberries, cheese and gravy. And to satisfy the sweet tooth? Why stop at Christmas pudding, when there are also mince pie doughnuts, festive crookies (aka croissant-cookies), boozy lamingtons or spiked cheesecake with extra egg nog cream.
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trendhub subscribers can access the full 149-page Christmas 2024 seasonwatching report on the hub, here. If you're not yet subscribed, but are interested to find out more, please get in touch.