Family is the most important part of Christmas for 64% of Brits, according to research out today from social network Friends Reunited. Only one in five of us claim to associate the season more strongly with drinking or getting presents - suggesting that Britain is far from the cynical nation some reports would have us believe.
82% of us have chosen to spend Christmas with family over friends this year and for almost two thirds, it will be a chance to catch up with relatives we don’t see enough of during the rest of the year.
More than nine out of ten say that Christmas makes us reflect on old friends and family we’ve lost touch with in the past, and 47% say that there is someone special who they wish could be there this year. At the same time, as many as two thirds of those who’ve lost touch with friends say that they regret doing so.
49% of us have already resolved to stay in better touch with the people we care about in 2009. But will these good intentions last beyond New Year’s Day? 38% admit they’re worried that their good intentions will fade as the year goes on.
In a poll of members it was found that the Nintendo Wii and the iPod Touch were the top ranked Christmas presents amongst site members, but even though these gadgets proved extensively sought-after, family time still rose to the top.
Jon Clark, head of Friends Reunited, comments on the research: "Every year there is speculation about whether Christmas has become too commercialised, but our research shows that at its heart the festive season is still about spending time with people you love. It’s never too late to make the most of the relationships you have or even to get back in touch with someone who you haven’t seen for years."