WaterAid has launched The Driest Christmas Dinner Ever — a dehydrated take on Britain’s favourite festive foods — to highlight just how essential clean water is to every plate we enjoy during the holidays. Featuring shrivelled versions of turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and even the hotly debated Yorkshire pudding, the stunt invites people to reflect on what life is like without access to clean water.
According to WaterAid, nearly one in ten people globally still live without clean water close to home. The organisation’s new campaign is part of its wider Everything Starts With Water winter appeal, raising funds to support communities in Madagascar and beyond.
A Christmas Dinner With a Shocking Water Footprint
WaterAid’s research reveals that a typical UK Christmas dinner for four people has a staggering water footprint of more than 15,000 litres—about the amount needed to fill 125 bathtubs. Yet Brits underestimated this by more than half, with 54% shocked after learning the true figure.
WaterAid is offering a limited number of their dehydrated meals via Instagram giveaways, while virtual meals can be purchased as an alternative gift through the charity’s website for £11—roughly the cost of an average Christmas dinner. That donation could help fund a life-changing tap stand for a family in Madagascar.
Explore or support the appeal:
– WaterAid Official Site: https://www.wateraid.org
– WaterAid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wateraid
Brits Reveal Their Christmas Plate Priorities
WaterAid’s poll uncovered strong national opinions about festive food:
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Roast potatoes reign supreme, with 80% calling them essential — and they’re also among the lowest water-usage foods, requiring around 60 litres per serving.
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Turkey remains a favourite, needed on 69% of plates, but it’s one of the most water-intensive ingredients at 271 litres per serving.
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Brussels sprouts continue their comeback, with 71% saying they love or like them. Each serving requires 76 litres of water.
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Pigs in blankets surprisingly rank below sprouts, with just 56% seeing them as essential.
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And in true British fashion, 47% insist that Yorkshire pudding belongs on the Christmas dinner plate, while 21% of Londoners claim that ketchup is an essential condiment.
Behind these festive debates lies a serious fact: every single item depends on huge volumes of water long before it reaches the table.
A Global Crisis Hidden Behind Holiday Comforts
While the UK gears up for indulgent feasts, millions of families around the world are unable to rely on clean water for drinking, washing or cooking. WaterAid reports that almost 400,000 children under five die every year from diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene — more than 1,000 children daily.
Comedian and actor Eshaan Akbar is among the public figures supporting the campaign. After trying the reimagined dehydrated Christmas dinner, he said:
“The flavours were there, but it just wasn’t the same delicious feast without the all-important ingredient – water.”
WaterAid Chief Executive Tim Wainwright echoes the urgency:
“For the cost of a Christmas meal, you can help a family get clean water, so children can stay healthy and in school, women have the time to work, and communities can thrive. Change starts with water.”
How to Support WaterAid This Christmas
To help WaterAid bring clean water to communities who need it most, you can donate or gift a virtual Christmas meal directly through their site:
Visit WaterAid’s appeal: https://www.wateraid.org
