Time with loved ones, traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, gifts for everyone, and getting cosy by a crackling fireplace are some of the festive wishes being shared in a new Win Your Dream Christmas competition.

The competition from local gift card champions Town & City Gift Cards is off to a flying start with over 1800 people answering the question ‘what is your dream Christmas’ for a chance to win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card for their choice of over 80 UK towns and cities – including in the London area, in London City, Wimbledon and Watford.

Topping the Christmas wish list so far is time spent with family and loved ones, with 63% saying that’s their dream. 27% are dreaming of a festive lunch with everyone sitting around the table. A vision of being cosy and warm at home with a crackling fireplace is a dream Christmas for 23%. 22% say it’s the chance to treat those they love with presents, gifts and local shopping.

For 14% of entrants, their perfect yuletide features festive fun and games and 12% are wishing for a White Christmas. 9% envision their ideal Christmas with a twinkly tree covered in baubles and beautiful decorations, and 2% say their dream Christmas includes festive PJs.

Both national retailers – such as Sainsbury’s, Boots, Lush, M&S, New Look and Primark – and all types of independent businesses are part of Town & City Gift Cards. The multi-store, multi-sector gift cards work through the Mastercard system, keeping spend locked into local communities.

10% of entrants in the Win Your Dream Christmas competition are also wishing for a healthy, worry free Christmas, linking to August 2023 research from Miconex with over 1000 people.

In the research, 98% say they are keen to support local businesses this Christmas. 87% say they support local businesses to help keep them open, and 89% plan to buy at least one gift card this Christmas. But there’s also worry about how to pay for Christmas too with at least 72% of people saying the cost of living is a concern for them.

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said: “The response to the campaign so far has been strong with many heart-warming entries showing how valued time with family is, and the things that make up a Dream Christmas for many of us, from good food to gifts, experiences to creating a festive atmosphere at home. The campaign is also a reminder that everything we need for a Dream Christmas is available right on our doorsteps with local retailers, restaurants, venues and more, accessible through local gift cards.”