New Traditions All Round, As Tech Takes A Seat At The Table This Christmas

Eight in ten adults opt for a video call to loved ones as Brits strive to stay connected this Christmas

• New research from Samsung KX shows new 2020 Christmas traditions will include ordering a takeaway and attending religious services virtually
• Technology will play a huge part on Christmas Day this year, with eight in 10 adults set to make a phone or video call to loved ones this year
• 12:41pm is expected to be the most popular connected Christmas minute for Brits to be online with loved ones
• Samsung KX releases its new ‘Connected Christmas’ content series to showcase how we can all adopt something new this Christmas, creating the start of new festive traditions
• Watch soul singer Lianne La Havas & The Royal Ballet’s lead dancer Marcelino Sambé discuss their new Christmas traditions this year, along with exclusive ‘Connected Christmas’ performances via the Samsung KX website

LONDON, England – Monday 14^th December: Samsung KX today announces the launch of its ‘Connected Christmas’ series, celebrating the new traditions that we’ll be introducing this Christmas, giving us all the chance to put a twist on our usual traditions this festive season.

2020 has been the year of adapting our daily routines, and this holiday will be no different as technology provides a solution to staying connected, bringing Christmas celebrations to our homes across the country. Research* by Samsung KX found that new 2020 Christmas Day traditions will include 42% of people ordering a takeaway for those not confident enough to cook a traditional Christmas dinner, or as a way to eat foreign cuisines in honour of the cancelled holidays they’ve missed out on.

The study also found eight in 10 adults will be contacting loved ones via phone or video call – with 12.41pm expected to be the most popular time for friends and families to ‘connect’ with one another on Christmas Day. Additionally, some Brits are even planning to attend a church or carol service via video conference in a bid to put a modern twist on old traditions.

Where once technology was seen as a barrier to interacting with others, with smartphones and tablets normally banned at the dinner table, it has now become one of the few ways that we can truly stay connected to those we love. 73% of adults have said that technology has made it easier to connect with those closest to them this year, with the majority of Brits planning to make at least one video call on Christmas Day, to stay in touch with those they might not be able to see in-person this year.

The restrictions that have been in place throughout 2020 have made us value our friends and family more, with one in seven planning to spend more time talking to friends and family than they might have normally over the festive period. The average phone or video call will last an average of 33 minutes, to ensure we still all enjoy those precious moments.

Samsung KX wants to show that there is magic to be found in trying new festive traditions, and hopes its ‘Connected Christmas’ series, inspires us to give something new and different a try this year. The series sees Samsung KX partner with Soul singer Lianne La Havas and international ballet dancer Marcelino Sambé from the Royal Ballet, for two exclusive performances at the Samsung KX experience space in London’s King’s Cross. Both performances were streamed to fans through Galaxy Tab S7 devices and showcased the new traditions each artist will be trying for the first time this year in order to stay connected to their friends, families and fans. The episodes can be viewed via the Samsung KX website now.

Speaking of his Samsung KX ‘Connected Christmas’ performance Marcelino Sambé said: “It was so magical to perform at Samsung KX and to connect with fans. This Christmas is going to be very different, but I’m looking forward to all the new and exciting ways technology can allow us to be together, and for new Christmas traditions to be formed with my friends and family.”

To stay connected this festive season, Samsung’s range of devices boast seamless connectivity, to help users connect smarter, play longer, and enable new Christmas experiences together, forming traditions to live on for years to come.

Tanya Weller, Director of Samsung Showcase, KX said “We’re thrilled to bring our ‘Connected Christmas’ series to life with virtual performances by Lianne La Havas and Marcelino Sambé from Samsung KX. Despite the distance between many families, it’s incredible to see so many are still planning on connecting with loved ones virtually, ensuring that the magic of the festive season is not lost. We’re delighted that Samsung technology can play such an important role and hope it’ll inspire others to embrace new traditions that are here to stay for years to come.”

Head to the Samsung KX website now to watch the full ‘Connected Christmas’ series and be inspired to try something new this festive season.

*Research conducted via OnePoll of 2,000 UK adults in December 2020.