how americans celebrate christmas survey of 2,110 adult americans

How AmericansCelebrate Christmas

Survey of 2,110 Adult Americans

2

Methodology

A sampling of an online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the U.S., was invited to participate.

The survey was administered between November 29 and December 1, 2010.

With a total of 2,110 responses, the sample provides 95% confidence that the total sampling error does not exceed +2.2%.

Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race religion, gender, and education to more accurately reflect the population.

3

Do you personally celebrate Christmas?

Yes91%

No8%

Not Sure1%

Q. 1: “Do you personally celebrate Christmas?”

4

Things your household typically does at Christmas time

En-courage belief in Je-sus

Christ as sav-

ior

En-courage belief

in Santa Claus

Gather for a

Christmas meal with

family or

friends

Watch biblical Christmas

movies

Watch fic-

tional Christmas

movies

Use an advent calen-

dar

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

58%

38%

86%

34%

61%

22%

Q. 2: “Which, if any, of the following does your household typically do at Christmas time?”

5

Things your household typically does at Christmas time CONTINUED

Attend special church

ser-vices

on Christmas

Eve or Christmas Day

Read or tell

the Christmas story from the

Bible

Give Christmas

gifts to people

you know

through work

Give Christmas

gifts to family mem-bers

Put up a

Christmas tree

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

47%

28%

43%

89%

80%


6

Things your household typically does at Christmas time CONTINUED

Not sure

None of the above

Dec-orate your home

Listen to

Christmas

music

Send Christmas

cards

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

0%

4%

77%

79%

69%


7

“Christmas is primarily a day for religious celebration and observance.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

42%

32%

15%11%

1%

Q. 3 “For the following statements, please indicate your level of agreement. If you do not celebrate the holiday, please answer in general.”

8

“Most of the Christmas music I hear has nothing to do with Jesus.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

22%

51%

20%

5%2%


9

“Family traditions are the most important part of Christmas to me.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

48%

33%

10%6% 3%


10

“Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus Christ.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

59%

11%3%

15% 13%


11

“I believe Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

62%

17%

6%13%

2%


12“Many of the things I enjoy during the Christmas season have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

29%

38%

15% 16%

2%


13

“It is hard to find ways to actually celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Not sure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

9%16%

24%

40%

11%


14Do you think Christmas celebrations become more or less religious when children are present?

Not sure

Much less re-ligious

Somewhat

less re-ligious

Somewhat more reli-

gious

Much more reli-

gious

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

21%

12%

31%

27%

10%

Q. 10: “Do you think Christmas celebrations become more or less religious when children are present?”

15

The Christmas season is a time to …

Reflect

Give/ Share/ Help/

Charity

Cele-brate/Joy

Jesus Christ/ Savior/

God

Be with

Friends/ Fam-

ily

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

12%

20%

32%

37%

45%

Q. 11 “In your own words, finish the following sentence: ‘The Christmas season is a time to …’”

Respondents’ open ended responses were categorized in one or more of the following categories. Percentages are of the 2,100 respondents who answered this question.

16

The Christmas season is a time to… CONTINUED

Peace

Re-member

Love

Thank/ Ap-

preci-ate/ Be Grate-

ful

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

3%

6%

9%

11%


Respondents’ open ended responses were categorized in one or more of the following categories. Percentages are of the 2,100 respondents who answered this question.

17



Sample responses in the “Be with Friends or Family” category “Visit friends and family, eat decadent food, get some rest.” “Celebrate the Birth of Christ by bringing family and friends

together.” “Reunite the family and enjoy time together.” “Spend time with the family and friends, be thankful and enjoy

life.” “Enjoy time with my friends.” “Celebrate family and friends; enjoy the aesthetic aspect of

the holidays; repair personal relationships.” “Thank the Lord, see family and enjoy the gifts we have.” “Reconnect with family and friends, via cards, parties, gift

giving and generally, through celebration.”

18



Sample responses in the “Jesus Christ/ Savior/ God” category

“Celebrate and reflect on the wondrous joy that the God of all creation took on human flesh and became a man for our salvation.”

“Celebrate Christ's birth, be with loved ones, and take care of those that are less fortunate.”

“Reflect on the good things in life, spend time with friends and family and celebrate the birth of Christ.”

“Help people in need, share the love of Christ, and share who Christ is.”

“Praise God and be thankful for the birth of our Savior by spending time with family.”

“Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.”

19



Sample responses in the “Celebrate/ Joy” category

“Celebrate the arrival of the Christ child.” “Celebrate the birth of Messiah, gather with friends and family,

and remember and help those less fortunate.” “Remember the reason that we celebrate Christmas, the birth

of our Savior.” “Relax & celebrate the season with family & friends.” “Celebrate family and friends and to dwell more on home life

than the workplace.” “Give joy for the birth of Christ.” “Reflect upon and celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus, the

Christ.” “Continue to glorify our Lord by celebrating His birth.”

20



Sample responses in the “Give/ Share/ Help/ Charity” category

“Give thanks and take care of those less fortunate while enjoying your family more than ever.”

“Be thankful for [what] we have and remember those less fortunate through prayers and gifts.”

“Give gifts and eat.” “Pray. give thanks, enjoy our families and try to help and share

with those who need our help.” “Count your blessings, help those that need help, reflect on the

life of Jesus.” “Help people in need, share the love of Christ, and share who

Christ is.” “Give gifts and joy to those you love and care about.” “Give to people in need.

21



Sample responses in the “Reflect” category

“Reflect on the past year, share with family and friends and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the season.”

“Reflect upon life.” “Draw near to family and friends through gift giving, and

reflecting on the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.” “Celebrate our relationships with family and friends and reflect

the love that is the basis of the Christian faith.” “Go into debt, get drunk and reflect on the year behind and

ahead.” “Reflect on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.” “Get together with family and friends and reflect on the

meaning of Christmas.”

Differences by faith

23

Do you personally celebrate Christmas? “Yes”

Christian Other Religion Atheist Agnostic/ No Preference

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% 97%

62%55%

89%


Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 97% indicate they personally celebrate Christmas, compared to 75% among households in which the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.

24Things your household typically does at Christmas time

Use an advent calendar

Catholic Protes-tant

Total Christian

Other Re-ligion

Atheist Agnos-tic/ No Prefer-ence

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

36%

24% 26%

10% 7% 8%


Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 26% indicate they use an advent calendar, compared to 9% among households in which the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Watch fictional Christmas movies



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

66%

42%34%

51%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 66% indicate they watch fictional Christmas movies, compared to 47% among households in which the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Watch biblical Christmas movies



Total Christian

Other Re-ligion

Atheist Agnos-tic/ No Prefer-ence

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

36%

46%42%

16%

1%5%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 43% indicate they watch biblical Christmas movies, compared to 9% among households in which the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Gather for a Christmas meal with family or friends



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%91%

56%

67%

83%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 92% indicate they gather for a Christmas meal with family or friends, versus 72% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Encourage belief in Santa Claus



Total Christian

Other Re-ligion

Atheist Agnostic/ No Pref-erence

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

53%

40% 42%

22%18%

27%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 42% indicate they encourage belief in Santa Claus, versus 26% of households in which the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Encourage belief in Jesus Christ as Savior



Total Christian

Other Re-ligion


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

68%

79%72%

23%

0%6%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 73% indicate they encourage belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, versus 13% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Put up a Christmas tree



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

85%

56% 56%

70%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 86% indicate they put up a Christmas tree, versus 64% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Give Christmas gifts to family members



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% 94%

66%61%

85%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 94% indicate they give Christmas gifts to family members, versus 74% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Give Christmas gifts to people you know through work



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

47%

30%25%

35%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 48% indicate they give Christmas gifts to people they know through work, vs. 32% of households where the respondent or spouse is non-Christian.


Read or tell the Christmas story from the Bible



Total Christian

Other Re-ligion


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

27%

43%

34%

22%

0% 3%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 35% indicate they read/tell the Christmas story from the Bible, versus 9% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Attend special church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day



Total Christian

Other Re-ligion


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

70%

60% 58%

22%

2%9%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 59% indicate they attend special church services on Christmas Eve/ Day, vs. 14% of households where the respondent or spouse is non-Christian.


Send Christmas cards



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

75%

43% 40%

63%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 76% indicate they send Christmas cards, versus 52% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Listen to Christmas music



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%86%

57%

38%

68%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 87% indicate they listen to Christmas music, versus 59% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


Decorate your home



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

83%

53%48%

64%

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 84% indicate they decorate their home, versus 58% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


None of the above


Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 3% typically do none of the 14 items asked at Christmas time, versus 9% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

3%

16% 18%

3%

39




0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

49%31%

6% 7%

34%

19%

8%

35%

11%

23%

27%

32%

6%

21%

53%

24%

0%5% 6% 2%

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Sure

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 49% strongly agree with this statement, versus 18% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.

40




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

20%37% 35% 28%

52%

38% 47%47%

22% 11%9% 19%

6%10% 1%

5%1%

4% 8%2%



41



Catholic Protestant Total Chris-tian

Other Re-ligion


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

60%48% 49% 42% 40% 47%

31%

34% 34%

26% 34%35%

6%11% 10%

7%5%

9%

2%3% 5%

15%15%

7%1% 3% 2%

9% 6%2%


Catholics are more likely to strongly agree than Protestants, but there are no significant differences among Christians, Other Religions, Atheists, and Agnostics/No Preferences.

42



Catholic Protestant Christian Other Re-ligion


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

67% 74% 73%

26%

1% 9%

14%12% 12%

3%

0%5%

4%2% 2%

1%

1%9%

5% 4% 4%

44%83% 43%

11% 7% 9%25%

15%

33%



43




Other Re-ligion


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

73%82% 76%

29%

2%16%

18%13%

16%

14%

8%

28%

4% 2% 3%

10%

17%

24%

4% 2% 6%

36%

64%

29%

0% 0% 0%11% 9% 4%



44“Many of the things I enjoy during the Christmas season have nothing to do with

the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Q.8 “For the following statements, please indicate your level of agreement. If you do not celebrate the holiday, please answer in general.”


Other Re-ligion


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

17% 13% 18%

54%

90%

67%48%

41%43%

26%

6%

25%15%

23%19%

5%

0% 4%19% 23% 19% 12%

0% 2%1% 1% 1% 3%

4% 3%


Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 61% agree (18% strongly) with this statement, versus 86% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian (65% strongly).

45




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8%20%

12% 9%

18%6%

5% 16%

27%13%

9%

20%

44%

23%

22%

26%

4%

37%52%

29%


Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 45% strongly disagree with this statement, versus 25% of households where the respondent or spouse is not a Christian.

46

Do you think Christmas celebrations become more or less religious when children are present?



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

11% 9% 3% 1%

30%20%

5% 14%

33%

27%

9%

33%

9%

15%

31%

24%

17%29%

52%

28%

Much more religious Somewhat more religious Somewhat less religious Much less religiousNot Sure

Among respondents who are Christian and whose spouse, if applicable, is a Christian 42% think Christmas celebrations are more religious (11% much more), vs. 18% of households where the respondent or spouse is non-Christian.

Differences by demographic

characteristics

48


Child <17 No Children Married Single Divorced/ Wid-owed/ Separated

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100% 96%90%

95%

85%93%


49


Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

83%

95% 92% 93%





Child <17 No Children Married Single Divorced/ Widowed/ Separated

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

35%

17%24% 21%

16%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

26% 26%19%

12%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

75%

56%

68%

57%49%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

65%69%

58%

43%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

49%

29%

40%

22%

34%

55


Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

23%

40%34% 33%

Things your household typically does at Christmas time



Gather for a Christmas meal with family or friends



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%91%

85%90%

80%84%




Child <17 No Children0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

52%

33%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

40% 41%34% 33%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

71%

54%

64%

47%

62%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

48%

61%56%

66%


Put up a Christmas tree



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%91%

76%

85%

73%77%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100% 95%87%

94%

83% 86%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

83%92% 90% 92%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

47%43% 46% 46%

33%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

43%51%

40%

30%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

45%

23%

34%

22% 21%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

30% 32%26%

20%


Attend special church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

56%

45%

55%

39% 39%





0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

75%67%

74%

61%68%




Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

61%

71% 71% 70%


Listen to Christmas music



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%87%

76%83%

70%

80%


Decorate your home



0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%88%

75%

84%

74%

65%


None of the above


Married Single Divorced/ Widowed/ Separated

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2%9%

5%


None of the above


Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

11%2% 4% 4%

75




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

48%40% 46%

31%46%

32%31%

32%

31%

33%

11%16%

14%

18%

9%

8% 12% 6%19%

11%1% 1% 2% 0% 1%


76



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

32% 39% 44%56%

24%

36%34%

28%20%

16% 13%9%23%

8% 7% 6%1% 1% 1% 1%


77




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

20% 25% 28%

52% 49% 47%

20% 19% 21%6% 6% 3%1% 2% 1%


78



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

17%29%

18% 20%

54%46%

51%57%

23% 20%22%

15%

5% 5% 6% 8%1% 1% 3% 1%


79




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

49% 44%54%

33% 36%33%

11%7%

8%4% 11% 2%3% 2% 2%


80



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

41% 46%54% 56%

37% 33%30% 33%

10% 12% 9%7%10% 6% 5% 2%

2% 3% 3% 2%


81




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

65% 58% 62% 58% 61%

11%10%

10%10%

17%2%

3%3%

2%

3%12%

16% 14% 18%11%

11%13% 12% 13% 9%


82



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

61% 59% 54%65%

6% 13%12%

10%5% 2%5%

1%20% 14% 13%

14%

8% 13% 17% 10%


83




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

73%59%

67%48%

74%

13%

18%16%

21%

15%4%

7%6%

7%

4%9% 15% 10%23%

6%2% 2% 2% 2% 1%


84



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

48%64% 64%

72%

19%

16% 18%14%

6%

6% 7% 5%24%13% 9% 7%

2% 1% 2% 2%






0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

21%32%

24%42%

26%

41%37%

40%

32%

40%

16%15%

17%12%

18%

19%15% 19% 13% 12%

3% 1% 1% 1% 4%





Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

47%

27% 23% 20%

27%

42%40% 41%

10% 17%17% 17%

17% 12% 19% 20%

0% 2% 2% 2%


87



Male Female Married Single Divorced/ Widowed/ Separated

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

7% 11% 8% 8% 11%

17% 16% 15% 15%21%

27% 21% 25% 23%

25%

37% 44% 42% 44%31%

13% 9% 9% 11% 12%


88




0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

13% 8% 11% 5% 10%

28%26%

29%22%

28%

31%32%

32%

30%

31%

13%11%

10%

13%

16%

16%22% 17%

30%16%


89



Age 18-29 Age 30-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5% 10% 11% 12%

28%27% 22%

31%

20%

33% 36%35%13%

13% 12%10%35%

18% 19%12%


How AmericansCelebrate Christmas

Survey of 2,110 Adult Americans

how americans celebrate christmas survey of 2,110 adult americans

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