Cliff, sprouts and Michael Bublé make the Christmas naughty list

People have named the 20 things they want banned this Christmas – and a fifth want the whole thing scrapped

Neil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)

13:31, 14 Dec 2025

Sir Cliff Richard is a Christmas legend

A new poll shows we’re a nation of grinches with nearly a fifth admitting they’d like to cancel celebrations this year – and the humble Brussel sprout is the thing we’d most like to ban. Christmas crooner Sir Cliff Richard, famed for festive hits like Mistletoe and Wine and Saviour’s Day, also made the hit list with one in seven calling for him to be sent to Room 101.

Canadian singer Michael Bublé was not far behind with one in ten looking to avoid his music this winter. And the traditional King’s Speech appears to be falling out of favour with 15% of the public giving it the thumbs down.

The poll was commissioned by thinkmoney. Consumer expert Vix Leyton said: “Sprouts, Cliff Richard and eggnog might be Christmas staples, but they’ve clearly worn out their welcome for a lot of people.

A lot of people don’t like sprouts

“The cost-of-living crisis has brought prioritisation into sharp focus, driving people away from tradition for tradition’s sake and inviting a bit more mindfulness when it comes to the Big Christmas Shop. With the pressure and cost of Christmas hitting harder than ever, there’s no room left for the bits that don’t spark joy – especially if they’re expensive, wasteful, or come wrapped in obligation. People are choosing Christmas on their own terms and drowning out the marketing noise telling us what we should all be doing, whether we like it or not.”

The research by thinkmoney went on to crown Liverpool as the official grinch capital with 17% of the city’s residents looking to cancel the big day.

Michael Bublé is everywhere over the festive season

TOP 20 THINGS BRITS WANT TO BAN AT CHRISTMAS

1. Brussel Sprouts – 26%
2. Eggnog – 22%
3. Christmas Jumpers – 19%
4. Christmas Newsletters – 18%
5. Generic Gift Sets – 18%
6. Mince Pies – 17%
7. Turkey – 17%
8. Elf On the Shelf – 17%
9. Fake White Christmas Trees – 16%
10. Inflatable Outdoor Decorations – 16%
11. Stollen – 16%
12. Christmas Pudding – 15%
13. King’s Speech – 15%
14. Cliff Richard’s Christmas Tunes – 14%
15. Cheesy social media hastags such as: boydonegood and hesbeen – 14%
16. Secret Santa – 13%
17. Novelty Christmas Number Ones – 12%
18. Michael Buble – 12%
19. Charades – 12%
20. Forced Family Christmas Photos – 11%

Charades gets played a lot at Christmas

THE UK GRINCH CAPITAL – PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD CANCEL CHRISTMAS

• Liverpool – 17%
• Oxford – 16%
• Brighton – 15%
• London – 15%
• Norwich – 14%