Despite polarising the nation, sitting down to sprouts on Christmas Day is one of the highlights of the festive period, according to 15% of the 2,000 adults surveyed.
Tasting that first mince pie (25%), sharing a massive tin of chocolates with a festive film (22%) and enjoying leftover sandwiches on Boxing Day (22%) also made the final list.
Paul Stokes, M&S credit card, said: “It’s great to see just how much there is that makes Christmas feel like such a special time for so many of us, whether it’s the first mince pie of the season, sitting down to Christmas dinner or shopping while listening to festive carols, there is so much we look forward to as a nation.”
According to the survey nearly half (44%) admit that Christmas is their favourite time of year, with nearly three-quarters (72%) saying that nothing beats sitting down with loved ones to tuck into their festive lunch.