For 7 out of 10 people, family and friends are the most important factors for a successful festive season.
Biscuits and Christmas cookies are the culinary mood setters for more than half of the people
Last-minute shopping (22%), arguments with the family (17%) and bad purchases (16%) are among the most common mishaps
39 % would like to have a Christmas like it was before the Corona pandemic
More than a third can imagine a vegetarian Christmas dinner
For 7 out of 10 respondents, time with family and friends should not be neglected (68 %). For more than half (57%), the Christmas tree is also a must-have for a successful Christmas. For about one in two, special foods are part of a harmonious celebration (45%) - biscuits and Christmas pastries are particularly popular (53%). The eye also celebrates: Almost half (48%) say that snow and a wintry landscape as well as an atmospherically decorated home create the perfect Christmas mood. Despite the many demands that Austrians make on Christmas Eve, the majority (85 %) say that the Christmas celebrations in recent years have turned out perfectly.
Oops-a-daisies and wishes to the Christ Child
But even a well-planned Christmas is not immune to mishaps. 17% of Austrians say that they have had arguments with friends and family on the Feast of Charity. 16% have already made a mistake when buying presents and 22% had to make last-minute purchases. For 11% of those surveyed, the Christmas biscuits burnt and the Christmas tree fell over. Fortunately, it is not material things that Austrians want for Christmas: In first place is health (59%), followed by cosy get-togethers with loved ones (57%), generally being able to spend more time with them (55%) and seeing them happy (52%). A Christmas like before the Corona pandemic is what almost 4 in 10 people want (39%), 38% want harmony and more than one in three want good food (36%).
The perfect Christmas menu - vegetarian or vegan if desired
Essential for a successful Christmas dinner is harmony at the table (50 %), taking plenty of time to eat (47 %), Christmas table decorations (42 %) and traditional meals (27 %). More than one in three respondents can imagine a vegetarian Christmas dinner (38%), while a vegan Christmas dinner is an option for two out of ten people (20%). Just like the festivities themselves, Christmas dinner is only perfect for the majority of people when they eat together: more than seven out of ten people want to eat together with their family (73%). "The results clearly show what Austrians value at Christmas: Family togetherness and special enjoyment go hand in hand with the perfect celebration. In order to meet these needs of our customers best, we have extensively expanded our BILLA festive assortment this year. With the diverse range of over 140 Christmas products, the festive menu is easy and relaxed, leaving enough time for loved ones and cosy holidays," explains Elke Wilgmann, BILLA Consumer Director.
About the survey
In the representative online survey commissioned by BILLA and carried out by Marketagent.com, 500 people from Austria aged between 14 and 75 were asked about the topic of "Christmas". The survey period was between 26 November and 2 December 2021.
