THE most romantic Christmas activities have been revealed with a third of Brits feeling more loved up over the holidays, research shows.
A poll of 2,000 people who celebrate the holiday season found 45 per cent believe the festivities bring out their affectionate side.
With 37 per cent also admitting they find it easier to express their feelings during December than they do the rest of the year.
While 37 per cent are more likely to make affectionate gestures – more hugs and holding hands – in the lead up to 25 December.
Commissioned by Sky Cinema, the research found 36 per cent think people are more likely to fall in love during Christmas than at any other time.
Proving the point, 15 per cent have asked someone else out on a first date during December and 12 per cent have gotten engaged.
A spokesperson Sky Cinema, which has also commissioned three poets – Donna Ashworth, Chloe Carterr and Georgie Jones – to write poems inspired by romantic moments from festive films, said: “Christmas and love go hand in hand, clearly.
“Whether it’s the joyful songs, films, twinkling lights or simply seeing loved ones, this time of the year many of us get caught up in the sheer romance of it all.”
The research also found 28 per cent believe romantic gestures are more meaningful over Christmas.
Festive activities considered to be romantic include going for a winter walk (18 per cent), watching seasonal films (16 per cent), and decorating the tree together (14 per cent).
Three in 10 credit Christmas movies for inspiring them to be more affectionate during the holidays.
With 40 per cent more likely to watch romantic films throughout December than any other time of the year, according to the research carried out through OnePoll.
The most popular festive versions of such movies are Love Actually (36 per cent), The Holiday (22 per cent), and Bridget Jones’s Diary (14 per cent).
Love Actually came top of the most classic one-liners from Christmas rom-coms too – thanks to “to me, you are perfect” (23 per cent).
Other popular quotes include the It’s a Wonderful Life line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings” (20 per cent) and “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it” from Elf (10 per cent).
When it comes to scenes, Love Actually also took the top three most romantic moments, with Jamie’s proposal (22 per cent), Mark’s cue card confessions (20 per cent), and Natalie and David’s mistletoe kiss (16 per cent) the favourites.
A spokesperson for Sky Cinema, which offers customers two free Vue cinema tickets every month, added: “We’re all familiar with the social media images of people watching the likes of The Holiday as soon as October is done and dusted.
“There is something romantic about snuggling up with a blanket, a hot chocolate in hand, dimmed lights and putting classic films such as Elf and Love Actually on our screens.
“Movies have a wonderful way of inspiring us when it comes to heartfelt gestures.”
