Cheer and Humbug
by December 15, 2009 1:01 pm 52 views
While the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is filled with cheer, family, friends and parties, there are several things we Americans say we don’t like about this time of year.
According to a new Harris Poll, 27% of respondents say they dislike spending too much money and 23% dislike the shopping crowds. Less than one in 10 say the one thing they dislike are putting up and then taking down holiday decorations (6%), television specials and holiday songs (5%), finding and giving presents (4%), eating and drinking too much (4%), and spending time with family and friends (2%).
The Harris Poll found that one in five people who celebrate holidays (21%) say they like everything about the holiday season.
Harris polled 2,303 adults with an online survey between Nov. 2-11.
OTHER SURVEY FINDINGS
• The one thing people most look forward to in the holiday season is spending time with family and friends (62%).
• Less than one in ten Americans say they look forward to holiday dinners and parties (8%), finding and giving presents (7%).
• Seven in 10 Matures (those aged 64 and older) say that is what they look forward to compared with just over half (52%) of Echo Boomers (those aged 18-32).
• Also, the older one is, the more likely they like everything about the holiday season as 31% of Matures say this compared to 14% of Echo Boomers and 19% of Gen Xers (those aged 33-44).
• The holiday song that people most look forward to hearing this time of year is Silent Night, followed by White Christmas, Oh Holy Night, Jingle Bells and The Little Drummer Boy.
• By the end of the holiday season, the top song people wish they would never hear again is Jingle Bells. This is followed by Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, and Little Drummer Boy.
• Three favorite holiday animated TV special are bunched near the top – 23% of Americans choose the flying reindeer with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as their favorite, 22% say it is all about the Whos in Whoville and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and 20% like the sad little Christmas tree and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
• When it comes to holiday movies, two are tied for favorite — 21% like the quest for a BB gun in A Christmas Story and the same number like watching Clarence the angel earn his wings in It’s a Wonderful Life.