Christmas need not mean switching off curiosity, as simple activities can smuggle science into celebrations.
Researchers say everyday traditions offer easy ways to explore biology, chemistry, and psychology at home.
Matthew Cobb of the University of Manchester suggests tasting sweets while holding your nose.
The experiment shows flavour depends largely on smell rather than taste alone.
Christmas crackers also offer insight into human behaviour.
Sophie Scott from University College London says people laugh far more at jokes when others are present.
A festive roast can become a lesson in anatomy.
Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh recommends examining turkey bones to understand movement and flight mechanics.
For chemistry fans, Andrea Sella at University College London suggests making ice-cream with salt and ice.
The method explains why salt melts ice by lowering freezing temperatures.
Mathematician Kit Yates from the University of Bath proposes using pine needles to estimate pi.
Together, the ideas show science needs curiosity, not a lab coat.
