Christmas presents, sex and alcohol: The things Brits say they would ditch for some winter sun 

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As the days grow shorter, Brits are so desperate for an extra hour of sunshine that 58 per cent said they would give up their Christmas presents in exchange for a holiday, according to a new study.

And this isn’t the only sacrifice that the nation is prepared to make, 63 per cent said they’d ditch a daily indulgence such as coffee, chocolate, sex and alcohol for just an extra hour of daylight.

The research revealed the debilitating effects that the short, dark days of winter can have on Brits with 60 per cent complaining it makes them feel depressed, gain weight or lose their libido.

Yearning for winter sun: 60 per cent of Brits complain that the dark, short days have a negative impact on them

The study, by Days Inn Hotels, found that up to 38million Brits would gladly swap everything under their Christmas tree for a sunshine break this winter.

The study of 2,000 Brits also found that during this dark season, the nation would be grateful for just an extra hour of sunshine each day.

It revealed the top ten things that people would ditch if they could fight off the darkness of winter for just an hour.

Surprisingly, chocolate, box sets and alcohol were found to be the top three hypothetical sacrifices.

These three were followed by coffee, an hour’s sleep and sex.

After this, the next three things sunshine deprived Brits would give up for warmth and lighter days are their mobile phones, their favourite foods and time with their partners.

Rather than being perceived as an indulgence, sunshine seems to be vital for Brits during the bleak winter.

The survey found that almost a third of people (32 per cent) claim the shorter days leave them feeling depressed.

As the days grow shorter, Brits are so desperate for an extra hour of sunshine that 58 per cent said they would give up their Christmas presents in exchange for a holiday

A further 35 per cent say the season causes them to gain wait and decreases their libido.

Despite Christmas parties, family gatherings and festive events filling most people’s calendars this month, over one in ten people (13 per cent) said that the lack of sunlight impacts their desire to socialise in the winter months and they end up staying in. 

But rather than making the most of the cosy season and enjoying hygge, almost one in ten Brits (eight per cent) admitted that shorter days made them more likely to have arguments with their family.