Revealed: What your Christmas Day routine says about you

Whether it begins with a glass of fizz, a bracing swim or by diving into gifts, everyone’s Christmas day is slightly different.

Now, it turns out your festive routine can indicate whether you’re posh, health conscious, an anxious person or even how old you are.

A recent survey of people in the UK found the preferred order of activities is to open presents, eat Christmas dinner, watch the King’s speech and finish with a board game.

The ‘correct’ time to eat is at 2pm, the poll found – although some pushed it back as far as 9pm.

Meanwhile, the majority of people tend to prefer everybody opening presents at once rather than taking turns.

Now, a round–up of expert advice and professional guidance reveals what your personal routine might say about you.

It turns out that opening presents first thing is ‘vulgar’, while tucking into your meal early could signal that you’re health conscious.

If you include chips on your plate you’re likely to be a Millennial or Gen Z, and if you prefer for everyone to open presents all at once you could suffer from social anxiety.

Opening presents first thing

Etiquette experts at Tatler have previously warned that opening your Christmas presents at this time of day makes you ‘vulgar’.

The high society ‘Bible’ said it’s best to wait until after lunch and a ‘bracing walk’ to unwrap gifts.

In a column on festive etiquette, the magazine’s writers said: ‘Are you one of those families who open their presents before breakfast on Christmas Day?

‘Oh dear. That’s considered a bit vulgar and unbridled. Sorry, we didn’t make the rules, it just is.’

According to the magazine, it’s fine to dip into your stockings as soon as you wake up – but main presents should wait.

‘For presents under the tree it is generally considered more acceptable to wait until that lull between the morning church service and lunch,’ the column continued.

‘If you’re very grand, you may even wait until after lunch and a bracing walk but this also requires you to have children with the self–control of an ancient yogi.’

Insisting everyone opens presents at the same time

Some people just hate opening presents in front of others – and that could signal they suffer from a bit of social anxiety, according to psychologists.

It’s all to do with worrying that you might not give a reaction that comes across as grateful and genuine.

According to Duke University professor of psychology and neuroscience Mark Leary, this is a manifestation of ordinary social anxiety ― or a concern with how we are being perceived and evaluated by others.

‘The onlookers are highly attuned to your reactions,’ Professor Leary told HuffPost. ‘Being the focus of everyone’s attention always raises the interpersonal stakes.’

He explained that if you feel particularly unsettled about everyone’s eyes on you, it could also indicate you’re an introvert.

‘People want to be seen as appreciative, but one always runs the risk of not conveying the appropriate level of appreciation,’ he added.

‘Or, worse, not being able to conceal one’s confusion, consternation, or lack of enthusiasm if a gift turns out to be strange, inexplicable or just plain lame.’

Eating dinner early

A recent survey, carried out by thortful, revealed the majority of people – 26 per cent – eat dinner at 2pm.

However, 18 per cent preferred a slightly earlier 1pm feast while two per cent of people even said they tuck in before midday.

At the other end of the scale, 8 per cent of people hold out until 4pm and 2 per cent wait until 9pm.

Eating an earlier main meal – more of a lunch than a dinner – could signify you’re health–conscious, as it allows for better digestion.

Studies have found that eating earlier can lead to less bloat and better sleep, as it gives your body more time to digest before bed.

A meta–analysis of 29 trials found that earlier eating windows, fewer meals and eating the bulk of one’s calories earlier in the day are linked to greater weight loss, better blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels.

So, if you prefer to eat your large meal at an earlier time, it could indicate you’re mindful of your health.

Unusual food

While many tuck into turkey with all the trimmings, many Brits love to include some unusual and divisive additions to their festive meal, the research revealed.

Thortful’s poll found that 22 per cent of people throw in chips alongside their usual trimmings. If you’re guilty of this, it could indicate your age.

A previous study, published last year, revealed that while 98 per cent of over–65s insist on traditional spuds, nearly 80 per cent of younger adults under the age of 34 want chips instead of roasties on the big day.

Christmas day swimmers

It may sound like hell for some, but a growing number of people plunge into their nearest sea on Christmas morning for a chilly dip.

If you’re one of them, it could suggest you have an adventurous spirit and are charitable.

Many of the events encourage fancy dress, from festive hats to Borat–style mankinis, and raise money for a good cause.

These people also likely have a strong sense of community and a desire for mental clarity, as studies show cold–water swimming has benefits for the brain.

Tuning in to the King’s speech

Unsurprisingly, switching the TV on to catch the King’s speech – which airs every year at 3pm – indicates you’re a traditionalist, even if you’re not a staunch royalist.

You likely enjoy the sense of engagement and community brought about by the nation all sitting down together to receive the same message from their monarch.

Posting on social media

Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos, a consumer psychologist at UCL, has previously explained that what you post online can reveal some insight into your character.

There are three main types of poster, with the first being the ‘festive fiend’ who likely has a battery–operated Christmas jumper.

‘They often create humour in a self–deprecating way’, he told the BBC.

Next comes the Christmas Grinch, who enjoys posting about how much they hate Christmas.

‘They’re often very confident and perhaps even self–centred, with no reservations about being in the limelight,’ he said.

Finally, there’s the person who constantly shares images of their pet – usually in some kind of festive outfit.

These people might want the limelight but won’t always go after it themselves, Dr Tsivrikos said, adding: ‘This kind of person ultimately wants attention, but in a more discreet way.’