20 festive moments people enjoy more than Christmas Day – from cosy nights to leftovers

20 festive moments people enjoy more than Christmas Day – from cosy nights to leftovers Research has revealed the top festive moments stealing the season away from Christmas Day. The festive highlights that Christmas revellers cherish more than the 25th itself include tackling the 'big shop', enjoying the Twixmas lull, and tucking into leftovers. A survey of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas revealed that 28% look forward to cosy nights during the festive period more than Christmas Day itself. For 81%, the festive season is about so much more than just December 25th. According to the research, 17% enjoy browsing supermarket aisles and snapping up seasonal treats. Another 15% said getting their hands on party food favourites fills them with more festive excitement than Christmas Day, while 10% get a bigger kick out of 'Friendsmas'. Within the last five years, 19% have begun celebrating for longer both before and after the big day. As a result, 86% of these people have found the festivities feel even more special. The research was commissioned by Lidl ahead of its first-ever Christmas preview events in London and Manchester, offering Christmas food lovers the chance to get an exclusive first look at the retailer's seasonal offering. Tickets are priced at £5, with all proceeds going to NSPCC, and guests can sample the festive food moments they love most, from Christmas dinner favourites to snacks for cosy nights in, alongside festive photo opportunities, giveaways and a preview of this year's non-food range. For 75% of people, festive food and drink helps ignite that seasonal spirit, with 46% associating this time of year with specific foods and drinks. A further 46% feel that seasonal food helps set a festive mood, while 38% said it ranks among their favourite aspects of the celebrations. More than one in 10 (13%) believe it is perfectly fine to get stuck into festive food and drink as early as October or November. Meanwhile, 43% admit they enjoy festive food and drink far too much to hold off until December, and 41% want to take full advantage of products that are only on the shelves for a limited period. When it comes to playing host, the survey, carried out by OnePoll, revealed that 39% enjoy the opportunity to bring friends and family together. A quarter (26%) welcome the chance to create a festive atmosphere within their home, while 21% enjoy the challenge of preparing food and drink for their nearest and dearest. TOP 20 FESTIVE MOMENTS ENJOYED MORE THAN CHRISTMAS DAY: - Unwinding during the period between Christmas and New Year - Snug evenings at home in the run-up to Christmas - Settling down to watch your best-loved Christmas films - Decorating the house with Christmas trimmings - Heading out for a wintry stroll between Christmas and New Year - Polishing off the Christmas Day leftovers after 25th December - Watching the Christmas lights being switched on in your local area - Hitting the shops to buy Christmas gifts - Browsing the festive aisles and stocking up on seasonal food and drink - Sampling new Christmas party food favourites - Tuning in to Boxing Day football - The last working day before the Christmas break - Sipping mulled wine at Christmas markets - Heading to the pub on Christmas Eve - Tackling the big Christmas food shop - Getting together with pals for a 'Friendsmas' celebration before the 25th - Pulling on your favourite Christmas jumper for the first time of the season - Sneaking into the food that's been set aside especially for the 25th - Bagging a bargain in the Boxing Day sales - Taking the little ones to visit Santa's grotto