Monday, November 30, 2009

Most Americans Prefer 'Merry Christmas' To 'Happy Holidays' - Rasmussen Reports™


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Amidst all the holiday shopping craziness, most Americans at this time of year want to see holiday signs that wish them a "Merry Christmas."

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of adults prefer "Merry Christmas," while 22% like "Happy Holidays" instead.

Older Americans favor "Merry Christmas" more than younger adults.

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Married adults fancy the traditional greeting a lot more than unmarrieds, although there is virtually no difference in the views of those with children in the home and those who don't have children living with them.

Perhaps inevitably as with much of what is polled by Rasmussen Reports, there is a partisan difference on the question. Ninety-one percent (91%) of Republicans and 70% of adults not affiliated with either major political party like store signs that wish them a "Merry Christmas," compared to just 58% of Democrats. Last year, 68% of all adults wanted holiday signs to read "Merry Christmas," while 25% preferred "Happy Holidays." In a spearate survey released just before Thanksgiving, seven percent (7%) of Americans said they've already completed their holiday shopping. But 57% of adults hadn't started yet.

The good news is that 53% of Americans said they were more thankful this Thanksgiving than they were last year at this time.

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