The latest BMG poll reveals despite Easter being the most important Christian festival, more of us will be eating and exchanging chocolate Easter eggs this Easter than attending church. Spending time with family is seen as the most important part of Easter and most Brits don’t give anything up for Lent.

In the run up to the Easter break, BMG polled a representative sample of GB adults about what Easter activities they will be taking part in this year. The results reveal most will be eating Easter eggs (39%) and exchanging Easter eggs with friends and family (38%). Around one in six (16%) will be taking part in an Easter egg hunt and 14% will be sending Easter cards. Just 11% said they will be attending Church this Easter while smaller proportions will be making an Easter bonnet (4%). Almost one third (32%) say they do not celebrate Easter (6% said other).

A closer look at the data also reveals more Christians will also be exchanging Easter eggs this Easter (43%) than attending church (22%). Younger people aged 18-24 are much more likely to say they will be eating chocolate eggs this Easter (62%) compared with their older counterparts – just 25% of 65 and overs say they will be eating chocolate eggs.

However, when asked which is the most important part of Easter just 8% said exchanging Easter eggs while an overwhelming majority (58%) said spending time with family and friends. Around one in seven (13%) said having time off work is the most important part of Easter and just 12% believe the religious aspect of attending church, giving something up for Lent etc is most important (7% did not know).

A majority of Christians (57%) said spending time with family and friends is the most important aspect of Easter for them compared to just over one fifth (22%) who say it’s the religious aspect.

The poll also asked what, if anything, Brits have given up for Lent this year. The results revealed over eight in ten Brits (82%) do not give anything up for Lent. Of those that do, most have given up chocolate (17%), followed by alcohol (12%) and takeaways (10%).

Fieldwork dates, methodology and a full breakdown of these results can be found here.

For a more detailed breakdown of results from this poll, or any other results from our polling series, please get in touch by email or phone.

polling@bmgresearch.co.uk

@BMGResearch

0121 333 6006

Lauren Harris – Senior Research Executive