To many across the world, Christmas is a very special time of the year. To others, it is the most hectic. Among Christmas celebrations, the most important ones tend to be rooted in Christmas traditions that are passed on from generation to generation. To some presents are the most important, to others it is family dinner on Christmas Eve.

Thus, Real Research launched a survey about Christmas traditions in order to see how its respondents celebrate Christmas. For instance, what is their favorite Christmas tradition? Have they ever written a letter to Santa Claus? What about their all time favorite Christmas movie? Here are the results.

Highlights

  • 23.10% say presents are their favorite part of Christmas.
  • 9.24% dislike Christmas as they do not get days off.
  • 10.46% say opening gifts on Christmas morning is their favorite Christmas tradition.

50.56% Say That They Celebrate Christmas 

Following this reveal, the survey goes on to ask respondents why they celebrate Christmas? On this, 26.81% say it is part of their religion, 12.85% say it is family tradition, and 10.30% say they like the festivities. On the other hand, 7.57% say it is because their housemates/roommates celebrate it.

The majority seem to celebrate Christmas
Figure 1: The majority seem to celebrate Christmas

Then, 4.50% say it is the most important holiday where they live and 2.78% say they like giving and receiving presents. Lastly, 1.49% say they get a day off and 0.84% say they like to decorate their house. In contrast 20.54% say they don’t celebrate Christmas and the rest chose ‘Other’.

Next, the survey asks respondents what is their favorite thing about Christmas. Here, Presents (23.10%), Christmas songs (14.14%), Going to church (9.24%), Shopping for deals and offers (6.26%), and Spending time with family (5.55%). Accordingly, Getting days off (4.06%), Meeting Santa (3.66%), Traditional Christmas food (0.75%), Decorating the house (0.68%), Secret Santa (0.53%), and Christmas movies (0.45%).

In contrast, the survey asks respondents what they dislike about Christmas. Here, 22.48% say they dislike the history of the holiday. Then, 13.69% don’t like the commercialization of the holiday and 9.24% say they don’t get days off. Similarly, the spirit of Christmas is not like it used to be (4.36%), don’t enjoy traditional Christmas food (3.90%), everything is expensive during this time (2.60%), noone to spend it with (1.21%), and Secret Santa (1.04%).

44.82% Reveal That They Have Written a Letter to Santa 

Following up, the survey asks respondents how they celebrated Christmas as a child. On this, 24.05% say they went to church with their family, 12.43% say they got Christmas presents every year, and 9.41% say they helped decorate the house.

Almost half the respondents have written a letter to Santa
Figure 2: Almost half the respondents have written a letter to Santa

Likewise, 7.07% say they helped make Christmas sweets with their family, 4.38% say they gave to the needy, and 3.18% say they met Santa every year. Lastly, 2.29% say they got special food for Christmas and 1.57% say they went on vacation during this time. In contrast, 19.53% say they did not celebrate Christmas as a child.

Accordingly, the survey asks respondents how they celebrate Christmas as an adult. On this, 22.30% say they went to church, 12.48% say they help the needy, and 9.74% say they shop for presents. Next, 6.54% say they take the kids to meet Santa, 4.63% say they decorate the house, and 3.65% say they cook special dishes for Christmas. 

In addition, 3.03% say they spend the day with loved ones, 1.94% say they go on vacation, and 0.96% say they drink with friends. Next, 0.81% say they spend the day by themselves and 0.73% say they go to parties. Lastly, 0.69% say they work and 0.19% say they participate in Secret Santa. 

Respondents’ Discuss Their Favorite Christmas Traditions

First on the list of favorite Christmas traditions is putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house (25.21%). Following this is making a Christmas gift list and shopping (14.73%). Then, opening presents on Christmas morning (10.46%), going Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve (6.42%), and attending the midnight mass at church (3.34%).

To add on, having a special Christmas dinner (1.19%), going to a Christmas Eve party to drink and dance (0.98%), going on a family vacation (0.84%). Then, watching a Christmas movie (0.77%) and taking a family picture (0.59%). Lastly, making Christmas sweets and sharing them with others (0.58%) and sending out Christmas cards (0.37%).

Next, the survey asks which Christmas speciality dish do the respondents enjoy most. Here, Candy canes (26.40%), Fig pudding (11.31%), Fruitcake (11.21%), Handmade sweets (6.38%), Eggnog (2.92%), and Apple cider (2.91%).

Figure 3: Favorite traditional Christmas dishes

To conclude, the survey asks respondents which Christmas movie makes them feel like Christmas has arrived. Taking the lead is A Christmas Carol (26.07%). This is followed closely by Home Alone (18.24%), The Grinch (7.58%), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (5.80%). Lastly, It’s a Wonderful Life (3.89%), Jingle All the Way (3.15%), Arthur Christmas (2.45%), and Polar Express (0.79%).

Methodology

Survey TitlePublic Perception on Christmas Traditions
DurationDecember 23 – December 30, 2021
Number of Participants50,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.