Eight unexpected joys of working on Christmas Day revealed in new survey

A survey of 1,000 adults who have worked on Christmas Day found that many value the experience for reasons beyond pay. Making the day special for someone else was a leading benefit, while workers also welcomed less pressure to host a perfect celebration and fewer family complications.

Other valued perks included quieter roads, avoiding festive cooking and cleaning, and not travelling long distances. Among care and medical workers, respondents highlighted comforting people, helping them connect with family and supporting Christmas traditions. The survey found workers had done six Christmas shifts on average, while separate ONS figures put the number working on Christmas Day at 1.2 million in 2025, up from 1.1 million in 2018. Many adapt their own celebrations: 79 per cent keep selected traditions and schedule them around work.