GUIDESTHE PERFECT FRIENDSMAS CELEBRATIONS
Friendmas, you ask? Picture a celebration wrapped in warmth and laughter – a modern tradition where friendship takes centre stage. Friendsmas is a relaxed holiday celebration where close friends can gather around Christmas lunch and indulge in the season’s festivities. In essence – it’s Christmas, but with the people you actually pick.
What began as a laid-back get-together has become a fully-fledged annual tradition with three in ten adults now celebrating Friendsmas with the unofficial (and most popular) date being 20th December. And the classic Friendmas crew? A cosy circle of six, a perfect melting pot of personalities. Not too big, not too small – just enough people to fill a table, share stories and pass the roast potatoes.
Those who celebrate Friendmas aren’t dabbling in a fleeting trend either. They’ve been doing it for nine years on average, gathering for Christmas lunch with the same familiar mix of friends that include: work mates (50%), school friends (38%) and university pals (37%).
WHO'S CELEBRATING FRIENDSMAS?
Our research revealed that it’s Gen Z who are wholeheartedly embracing the idea of celebrating with their ‘chosen family’ – with almost half of this cohort having planned a Friendmas gathering – whether that’s a cosy Christmas lunch affair or a large group booking. In fact, 11% of this generation prefer Friendmas to their traditional family celebration – double the number of Boomers, a striking stat!
Maybe it’s the prospect of leaving the family drama of a traditional Christmas lunch behind but there’s no doubt Friendmas is a growing trend amongst this generation. Here is an unmistakable cultural shift towards celebrations that feel more personal and intentional with more than a third of this generation putting Friendmas on par with Christmas Day itself. And for many, Friendmas isn’t just a fun extra. 23% of those who celebrate it consider the occasion more meaningful than classic festive rituals like Christmas lights or Secret Santa.
Now we’ve explored what Friendmas is and who’s celebrating it, let’s take a look at why this seasonal trend resonates with so many. What is it that makes Friendmas just so good?
THE TOP 10 BEST PARTS OF FRIENDSMAS
- Having fun and socialising
- The laughter
- Enjoying good food and drinks
- Making memories with friends
- The conversation and chatting for hours
- The banter and jokes
- Reminiscing on old times
- Telling stories with friends
- Finding out the gossip
- Avoiding family stress
And if that’s not reason enough to rally your favourite people and book your Friendmas Christmas lunch, consider this delightful bonus: you’ll almost certainly spend far less than you would on the big day itself. Friendsmas, it turns out, is a rather modest affair – with an average spend of just £65 – proof that festive joy doesn’t need a lavish price tag.
And with our Christmas Set Menu, you can get three courses for just £29.95.
THE ONE FRIENDSMAS HURDLE... AND HOW TO FIX IT
Our Friendmas research revealed that 47% of people find choosing a date genuinely tricky. And honestly, it’s no wonder. You don’t need to look far to find out why: Christmas calendars bursting at the seams. Nearly 43% of those surveyed said their busy festive schedule makes organising Friendmas a challenge and a further 27% agreed that finding a day that works for everyone is easier said than done. Between office parties, family plans and last‑minute shopping, nothing fills quicker than the December diary.
But here’s the good news. Simply ASK your group early. Get the festive conversations flowing and lock in a date that you can all look forward to. And because we love nothing more than helping you to celebrate with your favourite people, we’ll even reward you for planning ahead. Book by 30 September and you’ll receive up to £60 to spend in the New Year – the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Just head to our Occasions page to find out more.
FRIENDSMAS, THE ITALIAN WAY
Now we’ve wrapped up all there is to know about Friendsmas, it’s time to make a plan. Our research revealed that the most appealing aspects of Friendsmas are fun & socialising (49%) and enjoying good food (48%). And there’s no better backdrop for your Friendsmas festivities than ASK Italian. Think twinkling lights, festive tunes and close friends gathered around an Italian feast bursting with seasonal flavours – and you have a little Christmas magic.
With our biggest-ever Christmas set menu there’s so many more reasons to indulge. From festive specials like our Turkey Festivo – otherwise known as Christmas on a pizza to our Christmas Carbonara, there’s something for all appetites, big and small.
And with a Christmas set menu with two and three courses plus options for vegetarian, vegan, and non‑gluten diners – there’s no better spot for your Friendmas Christmas lunch. Pair our seasonally-inspired menu with great‑value drinks packages from £4.95 and you’ve got a celebration that feels indulgent yet effortless.
Maybe it’s reminiscing on old times, finding out all the latest gossip or simply avoiding the family stress of a traditional Christmas lunch but one thing is for certain, Friendsmas is here to stay. So what are you waiting for? Gather your favourite people, raise a glass, and celebrate the season in full-hearted Italian style. Join us this winter and make ASK Italian a part of your Friendsmas story.
