NEW YORK — Are you still shopping for the perfect gifts this holiday season? It turns out you’re months behind schedule! Between planning and decorating, it takes the average American six weeks to prepare for the holidays, a new survey reveals.
According to a new poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate a winter holiday, the planning alone takes the majority of those six weeks. Results also show it takes the average American five weeks to plan presents, meals, and the “perfect” holiday season.
Respondents spend an entire week, or seven full days, simply getting decorations in place. For all that goes into decking their halls, 22 percent of respondents admit that they spend more time planning and putting up their decorations than they do relaxing and enjoying them.Â
This six-week lead time may be why 23 percent received an invite to a holiday gathering in September or October. However, nine percent say they’ve had to put a seasonal gathering on their calendar as early as the summer.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Minted, the survey reveals that nine percent are in “holiday season mode” as soon as the clock runs out on Halloween, kicking decorating off on Nov. 1. However, a similar number (8%) don’t shift gears until the day before Thanksgiving. Another 49 percent will use the days and weeks after Thanksgiving to hang their decorations.
Americans are adorning their homes with trees (47%), lights (46%), Santas (37%), stockings (35%), and candy canes (35%). Other popular seasonal decor includes wreaths (35%), candles (33%), garlands (28%), and even holiday-themed table linens (27%).
While decorating may be the way many Americans start feeling festive (52%), others listen to holiday music or watch seasonal movies (both 34%). More than one-third of respondents (36%) still listen to and watch the same holiday movies and music as they did when they were young. Only 16 percent say the holiday movies and music they consume today are totally different from their childhood.Â
Respondents admit that listening to holiday music (29%) and watching holiday movies (26%) ignite holiday nostalgia.
“We know how much dedication holiday lovers put into planning out their celebrations,” says spokesperson Marissa Cedarleaf, Minted GM of Holiday, in a statement. “Holiday planning is all about the end result of spending time together with our loved ones, which will bring a joy one remembers for seasons to come.”Â
Results also show that approaches to shopping for holiday gifts vary. One in five (22%) will casually browse throughout the year, while a similar number (19%) do their shopping in early December. Sixteen percent say they finish their shopping before the holiday season even starts, and another 15 percent wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Who gives the best gifts?
The survey reveals the top three gift-givers are their mom (29%), friends (22%), and their child (21%). Only 10 percent of respondents say their in-laws are good at giving holiday gifts.
With many getting their shopping out of the way early, it leaves time for Americans to work on other holiday traditions like sending holiday cards, which three in five respondents (62%) are likely to send out. Top holiday card images are photos taken at home (35%), with extended family (34%), and on vacation (30%).
Almost three in 10 (29%) of respondents say they would include a photo with their pets and 25 percent say they would feature matching outfits. Fifteen percent of respondents say they would even include a photo of just themselves. It seems just about any season will do when it comes to taking those photos, though 35 percent prefer a winter backdrop.
“Holiday cards are a great way to personalize the magic of the season. Results revealed that 31% of respondents choose their card’s design to make others laugh, while 22% look to highlight life milestones. No matter the reason you’re sending cards, there are many customizable options to help capture any milestone,” says spokesperson Marissa Cedarleaf, Minted GM of Holiday.
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans who celebrate a winter holiday was commissioned by Minted between Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
