The annual sight of the Christmas pudding being brought to the table after the turkey and trimmings used to be one that everyone looked forward to on the big day.
Whether it was doused with brandy and set on fire for the grand arrival, or contained a hidden coin wrapped in greaseproof paper (that was back in the day), the fruit pud – as heavy as a (old-skool) football – was generally seen as a highlight of Christmas Day. But all that has now apparently changed due to more varied tastes among Generation X and the Millennials.
So store chain Aldi, which has come up with a whole list of once-traditional festive foods that younger generations are less keen on, is inviting customers to swap what they don’t want for a gift voucher to buy what they do. Its new Christmas Pudding Exchange Service is in operation from today, December 12, and will be open in stores nationwide until December 28.
It is being set up in response to its survey of 2,000 people which found more than half of Millennials and 54% of Gen Z, born in 1996 or later, would like to change Christmas food or give it a modern twist, with 78% of younger consumers more inclined to seek out ‘global-inspired dishes’ and even plant-based options for the Christmas dinner table.
Alongside the pud – which 64% would like to swap for a different, more contemporary dessert, while 67% of over-65s still loved it – the likes of mince pies and cranberry sauce are also apparently out of favour.
Perhaps less surprisingly, the always-controversial Brussel sprout is included in the Gen Z and Millennials’ frowned-upon list, alongside the likes of bread sauce – remember that? But the news could always prompt some families to stick up for traditions and revive some forgotten items.
To raise the spirits of traditionalists, 73% of Brits across all age groups were found to still enjoy the traditional meal. And to make them laugh, 61% of Gen Z expect their parents to serve a Christmas pud this year even if nobody likes it.
Aldi is actually expecting Christmas pudding sales of more 2.3 million this year and has a wide range on offer, including a single-serve option for 89p. But Julie Ashfield, Aldi’s managing director of buying, said: “We’re aware that tastes are evolving so, whether you want turkey and all the trimmings or loaded fries and pizza for Christmas, we have something for everyone.”
She added that Aldi’s new exchange service – which invites people to drop off their Christmas puddings at one of its in-store food banks in exchange for a £10 dessert voucher – is “to help customers end their meal with a dessert they love”. And its survey suggests that many will go for cheesecake, chocolate gateau or ice cream.
To take advantage of the Christmas Pudding Exchange Service customers can return any Christmas pudding to their local store’s foodbank up to December 28. They then should send photographic evidence to christmaspuddings@aldi.co.uk to receive a £10 voucher for a Christmas dessert of their choice.
Christmas foods that Gen Z and Millennials turn their back on
1. Mince pies
2. Christmas pudding
3. Christmas cake
4. Cranberry sauce
5. Brussels sprouts
6. Bread sauce
7. Chestnuts
8. Brandy butter
9. Turkey
10. Trifle
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/aldi-launches-christmas-pudding-exchange-30569531
