Tis the season to be jolly. 95% of Americans celebrate Christmas and the majority (68%) of Americans looking forward to the holidays. 59% agree that Christmas is their favorite time of year.
66% of Americans say that they are already enjoying the holiday season, even if only a little. However, 80% worry that commercialization has over-run the season and there is now too much focus on spending money. Nearly three-quarters (71%) believe that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost.
How do you feel about Christmas?
This Christmas Americans are excited about:
- Spending time with family and friends (61%),
- Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (39%) and
- Sharing presents (35%).
Shopping for presents is the least favorite part of the holiday for one in five (20%).
We may be worrying unnecessarily about what to buy for gifts as nearly a quarter (23%) really want to receive gift certificates and gift cards. 9% are most looking forward to receiving electronics.
Novelty gifts are not going to win you many prizes and are the gift Americans dread. 21% of Americans don’t want to see a prank gift in their stocking. Women (25%) and older holidaymakers (26% aged 55+) are particularly averse to jokey gifts. And don’t be fooled into thinking that Christmas lovers want a reindeer sweatshirt. 26% of those who are already really enjoying the holidays would prefer not to receive a novelty gift.
Sports equipment is also unpopular, particularly with women. It might not be wise to hide an exercise bike or gym membership under the tree for your lady. 21% of women do not want to receive a sports related gift. In fact Christmas may not be the time to mention diet or exercise at all. 22% of Americans let themselves off their diet for the holiday period; 36% of those who are already loving the holiday season.
Although women who celebrate Christmas seem to be doing most of the cooking and baking - 45% expect to be cooking on Christmas day compared to only 27% of men - women are much more enthusiastic about the holidays than the men. 31% strongly agree that it is their favorite time of year compared to 18% of men, and nearly a quarter (24%) of women say they are already enjoying the holiday season a lot.
Peoples perspective of Christmas is very much dependent on their personal finances. 74% of people (who celebrate Christmas) and earn over $80k are looking forward to the holiday compared to only 63% of those earning less than $40k.
This year two in five (40%) expect to be spending more than $200 on gifts, while nearly a third (32%) expect to be spending between $50 and $200 on entertaining.
A third (33%) of Americans celebrating Christmas think they will have less money to spend this Christmas than last compared to only 14% who feel they have more free cash than last year.
Base: US Working adults
Perhaps surprisingly 63% of workers claim to have read their employee handbook. Another 11% haven’t read it through, but they know where to find it.
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Image courtesy of Press Association
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