Christmas at Pret is a time of joy. It’s when our festive menu comes to life, full of seasonal favourites and exciting new treats. This year, we’ve gone one step further to celebrate the moments that have brought national joy and honour the people who shared joy in their local communities. 

Our ‘Share The Joy’ campaign is not only about food and drink – it’s about coming together, giving back, and celebrating joy. We’re thrilled to unveil our first-ever Christmas window displays at shops across the UK, showcasing 2024’s most joyful moments, both well-known and unsung. 

Bringing Joy Through Food 

For me, food and drink have always been about more than sustenance – they’re about creating memories, sparking connections, and joy. That’s what we strive for at Pret, and our Christmas menu is at the heart of it all. 

This year’s menu brings back classics like Pret’s Christmas Lunch sandwich – a festive favourite that has become a tradition for so many of our customers. With its perfectly balanced layers of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, it’s a sandwich that captures the essence of Christmas in every bite. 

And who can resist Melvin the Snowman Gingerbread? He’s a sweet symbol of joy, perfect for savouring with a cup of Kamilla’s Maple Pecan Latte, one of this year’s exciting new additions and created by the winner of our Barista Competition 2024. 

Food isn’t just what we serve; it’s part of how we celebrate, and I’m so proud that Pret’s festive offerings bring people together year after year. 

A Celebration of National Joy 

This year, we asked the public through consumer research to choose their most joyful moments of 2024, and we’ve brought three of them to life in our festive window displays. 

At New Street in Birmingham, London’s Carnaby Street and Oxford Street, Manchester, we’ve recreated some of these moments with a festive twist, crafted by British artist Andy Billett using elements of our seasonal menu. Mince Pies and Tiffin have never looked so artistic! 

Honouring Local Heroes 

But Pret isn’t just celebrating national moments of joy – we’re also highlighting local heroes who have shared joy in their local communities, too. At Pret shops in Edinburgh and Liverpool, festive window displays honour two inspiring individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their communities through charities supported by The Pret Foundation. 

In Liverpool, our Paradise Street shop honours Elizabeth, a volunteer at Toxteth Women’s Centre who has dedicated seven years to supporting families in need. Elizabeth’s warmth and generosity shine through in everything she does, from delivering Pret’s food donations to offering comfort and guidance to those facing challenges. 

In Edinburgh, at our North Bridge shop, we celebrate Shikha, whose Bollywood-inspired events and digital literacy sessions have brought joy and connection to the city’s elderly South Asian community. Through her tireless efforts, Shikha has helped combat loneliness and foster inclusion. 

Giving Back with The Pret Foundation 

For us at Pret, joy and generosity go hand in hand. Through The Pret Foundation, we’re committed to tackling hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Every day, we donate as much unsold food as we can to those in need – over 5 million food items last year alone. 

This Christmas, with 50p from every Pret’s Christmas Lunch sandwich and Very Merry sandwich sold going to The Pret Foundation, every bite can help make a difference. 

Sharing the Joy with You 

Whether it’s through our festive menu, the artistry of our window displays, or the work we do with The Pret Foundation, our mission is simple: to share joy. We welcome you to visit our shops at Carnaby Street, New Street, Oxford Street, North Bridge, or Paradise Street to see the displays, celebrate the moments that made 2024 joyful, and join us in giving back to those who need it most. 

And don’t forget to share your own moments of joy from this year using #ShareTheJoy. We’ll be featuring some of your stories on our channels throughout the season. 

Thank you for being part of this journey with us, and here’s to a season filled with joy, kindness, and delicious food. 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, 

Katherine Bagshawe 

UK Food & Coffee Director at Pret A Manger