Are you a Christmas Maker or a Partaker? New research from Coca‑Cola reveals that 39% of Brits make the magic happen

• New research from Coca‑Cola has identified the top signs of a Christmas ‘Maker’, from timing the Christmas lunch to perfection (48%) to creating a playlist featuring everyone’s favourite festive tunes (23%).
• Research revealed nearly 1 in 5 (19%) Brits don’t always show the makers appreciation.
• To celebrate these unsung heroes, Coca‑Cola is partnering with TV favourite and Christmas enthusiast Sam Thompson to help the nation give the ultimate thank you.
• Every Christmas maker nominated will support Coca‑Cola’s festive donation to food charity FareShare – in addition to the 1 million meals being funded already*.

New research from Coca‑Cola has found that while 81% of Brits agree one person in every family and friendship group makes Christmas truly magical, this responsibility falls to just 39% who say they are the dedicated organisers who make the festive season sparkle for everyone else - a role identified as the ‘Christmas Maker’.

These unsung heroes and “stars of Christmas” start preparing seven weeks before the big day, spending an average of 20 hours buying presents, 15 hours cooking and food shopping, 14 hours decorating and 11 hours writing cards. It’s no surprise three quarters (75%) feel stressed about everything they have to do over the festive period. Beyond time, more than half (55%) say they dole out more money than their friends and family to make sure Christmas is special.

The research of 2,000 Brits also revealed a definitive list of signs you are a Christmas Maker. While traditional tasks like timing the Christmas lunch to perfection (48%) and NEVER forgetting crackers (38%) top the list, modern traits including making a playlist with everyone’s favourite tunes (23%), coordinating siblings presents (22%), booking the ‘Friendsmas’ dinner (13%), organising Secret Santa (12%) and decorating the flat for flatmates (10%) also make an appearance. No wonder an overwhelming 75% of Brits believe Christmas would be 'rubbish' without their dedicated Maker.

Despite 83% of Brits agreeing Makers keep family or friendship groups together, 19% admit they don’t always thank or show them appreciation. While simple gestures like a face-to-face thank you (67%), an extra present under the tree (16%), ‘thank you’ text (13%), toast (11%), or social media shout-out (11%) are popular ways to show appreciation, many still fall short. 35% assume their loved ones already know how valued they are, one in five (21%) don't think their Maker expects a fuss, 17% find it hard to find the right words and 16% just get caught up in the festive rush.

As a result, 68% of Makers say they feel unappreciated, with 49% even jokingly saying they are going on strike because their efforts were not being acknowledged. A third (31%) simply state that being thanked makes their effort worthwhile.

To ensure these dedicated 'Makers' finally receive the heartfelt appreciation they deserve, Coca‑Cola is on a mission to inspire Brits to deliver an even more memorable thank you to the ‘Makers’ in their lives.

Kicking off this initiative, Sam Thompson, surprised excited members of the public at Spitalfields, London, dressed as Santa, to launch his 'Free Thank Yous’ station. Holding fun and playful signs, Sam invited passers-by to nominate their special Christmas Maker. He then personally rang, video called or sent video messages to unsuspecting Makers, delivering a surprise, personalised thank you on behalf of their loved ones.

Sam brought festive joy to an ecstatic mum, who received a call from her daughter thanking her for being a true Christmas maker, and sharing the excitement of bumping into Sam in Spitalfields. One gentleman also seized the moment to call his wife and thank her for always going the extra mile during the Christmas season.

In a fun twist, Sam himself was surprised when podcast co-host and best friend Pete Wicks approached the station. Offering to be an extra helper, donning elf ears and requesting Sam say thank you to him for putting up with him all year.

For those who missed Sam in person, you can also have the chance to shout out a Christmas Maker. Simply drop a comment on his Instagram post [to be hyperlinked] with who you want to nominate and a lucky few will be selected to receive their own shout-out via Instagram direct message in the run-up to Christmas.

But the festive spirit doesn't stop there. Every ‘Maker’ nominated for a shout-out, will support Coca‑Cola’s donation to FareShare this Christmas. This extra contribution builds on Coca‑Cola’s ongoing commitment to FareShare, the UK’s leading food redistribution charity. As part of its iconic Truck Tour, Coca‑Cola is already making a separate donation equivalent to 1 million meals, supporting their vital work in getting good-to-eat food that would otherwise go to waste, to those who need it most right across the country.

Sam Thompson, says: “Last year I spent Christmas Day volunteering, and it was really special. There are so many ‘makers’ of Christmas – from all walks of life, creating magic for families across the UK during the festive season. I am so excited to help make Christmas that little bit better for the hero makers with Coca‑Cola … and of course I love dressing up as Santa, so I’m buzzing about that too.”

Charlotte Butt, Senior Marketing Manager at Coca‑Cola Great Britain and Ireland says: “At Coca‑Cola, we believe in spreading joy and recognising those who make special moments happen. We want to inspire the nation to give those unsung heroes the heartfelt thank you they truly deserve. Every maker nominated for a shout-out, will support Coca‑Cola’s donation to FareShare this Christmas. By extending this spirit of giving, we ensure that while we celebrate the Makers, we're also supporting communities across the UK.”

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