New YouGov research explores two areas of great excitement for children this festive season: the nativity performance and Christmas dinner
The festive season is in full swing and many parents will be watching proudly as their child plays a part in a Christmas nativity performance. But what are the preferred parts? YouGov Children’s Omnibus reveals the most coveted roles for girls and boys.
As teachers know, producing a nativity play can be stressful - particularly when it comes to which child takes which part. Our research shows that the many children will have been left disappointed as four in ten (40%) 8-15 year old girls think Mary is the best role while one in five (22%) boys plump for Joseph.
However, for boys the narrator comes in a very close second (19%) and the research finds that this is also the second most popular part for girls (19%). Girls' focus on Mary and the narrator is perhaps not surprising given the sparse number of female roles in the nativity, whereas boys, with a greater number of parts to pick from, spread their choices more widely.
Christmas Dinner
As well as the nativity play we also asked children about which part of Christmas dinner they are most excited about.
The research found that the favourite element of the dinner is pigs in blankets (cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon), which was chosen by a third (34%) of children. Boys are significantly more likely than girls (38% and 30% respectively) to have this as their favourite part of the meal.
Despite it being the centrepiece of a festive dinner turkey is not the top choice among children, being preferred by three in ten (29%). Roast potatoes were third most popular (15%). However, despite being traditional part of the meal, the research found that the cliche is true and that sprouts are the worst dish (chosen by 47%), way ahead of red cabbage (13%).
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