America’s Biggest Christmas Debates Study, State by State

Christmas: a time for twinkling lights, cozy nights … and petty national debates that can become so heated they could melt the North Pole. Is turkey truly a holiday masterpiece, or just a dry, overpriced tradition? Is Secret Santa heartwarming, or the adult version of drawing the short straw? Is Die Hard truly a Christmas movie, or not even close? And the tiny holiday spy dividing the nation: Elf on the Shelf, creepy or cute?

We surveyed 3,000 Americans on 15 of the nation’s most hotly contested holiday debates, then mapped the results by state. Turns out, when it comes to Christmas, no tradition is safe from a little festive roast.

US Key Findings:

• Turkey: 56% of Americans say it’s overrated, with 33 states siding with the “overrated” camp
• Regifting: 73% say it’s acceptable, backed by the majority in 48 states and districts
• Elf on the Shelf: 53% find it creepy, with 31 states agreeing
• Christmas Trees: 60% prefer fake over real, with 35 states siding with Team Fake

Turkey: Overrated or Essential?

Is turkey overrated? Apparently, most of America thinks so. Overall, 56% of respondents say yes, with 33 states siding more with the “overrated” camp, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nevada, Massachusetts, and more. 11 states disagree, with Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Rhode Island standing firmly behind their holiday staple. And a handful of states are perfectly split, Virginia, Vermont, New Mexico, and D.C. couldn’t pick a side if their Christmas depended on it.

Regifting: Holiday Hack or Faux Pas?

Is it acceptable to regift presents? Apparently, the answer is a festive “yes” for most Americans. A whopping 73% say it’s perfectly fine to pass along a gift, with 48 states and districts siding with the majority. Only New Mexico, Maryland, and Hawaii break the trend, disagreeing with their fellow Americans and putting a bow on the idea that some gifts are meant to stay put.

Secret Santa vs. Big Gift Exchanges: Which Wins?

When it comes to holiday gift-giving, 51% of Americans are all in for the mystery and fun of Secret Santa. A majority in 27 states, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and Alabama, agree that a surprise swap is the way to spread cheer. 17 states, like New York, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oregon, prefer going big with a full-on gift exchange. And 7 states, including California, Hawaii, and Maine, are perfectly split proving that when it comes to presents, some people just can’t unwrap a clear favorite.

Elf on the Shelf: Creepy or Cute?

For most Americans, it’s firmly in the “creepy” camp. Overall, 53% say the elf is more creepy than charming, with 31 states, including California, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and New Jersey agreeing. Delaware finds it the creepiest of all, with a whopping 81% labeling it unsettling. 15 states, like New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Florida, still think the elf is cute, while 5 including Mississippi, New Mexico, and North Carolina are perfectly split. It seems even a tiny elf can spark big opinions.

Christmas Trees: Real vs. Fake

When it comes to Christmas trees, Americans can’t seem to agree on what’s truly tree-mendous. Overall, 60% are Team Fake, with 35 states, including New York, Texas, New Jersey, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Kentucky, opting for the low-maintenance, needle-free option. 12 states and districts, like Utah, Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire, are loyal to real trees, insisting that nothing beats the scent of fresh pine and the thrill of vacuuming up dropped needles. Meanwhile, 4 states: Mississippi, Vermont, New Mexico, and Hawaii are perfectly split, proving that even holiday greenery sparks fierce debate. And the timing debate? Turns out 84% of Americans agree it’s acceptable to have the tree up before December.

Other Holiday Hot Takes: From Songs to Sweaters

The Christmas debates don’t stop at trees and elves. The majority of Americans (53%) say Die Hard is a Christmas movie, keeping the classic holiday debate alive.

When it comes to the most annoying Christmas song, the nation is officially split: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You battles it out with the darkly comedic chaos of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer for the title of holiday headache. Clearly, what drives some listeners into a festive frenzy delights others just as much.

On presents, the majority of Americans agree that Christmas morning is prime unwrap-and-repeat territory, though a rebellious few insist that any time is gift time. Dessert preferences are less divisive: pie rules the holiday table. Eggnog emerges as the undisputed drink of choice, comfortably outpacing mulled wine, highlighting that Americans like their holiday spirits creamy, not just spiced.

Fashion matters too. Ugly Christmas sweaters are widely adored, and dogs sporting festive jumpers? Absolutely paws-itively irresistible. Adults, take note: stockings aren’t just for kids anymore. And when it comes to weather, snowy Christmases beat warm ones hands down.

From songs that spark groans to desserts that spark joy, Americans clearly have strong opinions on every little holiday detail.

Conclusion

From turkey to regifting, real or fake Christmas trees to snowy skies, Americans are divided, opinionated, and unapologetically passionate about the holidays. Whether it’s a creepy elf or a debated Christmas song, these festive feuds remind us that the season’s biggest traditions come with equally big opinions.

Methodology

We surveyed 3,000 Americans on 15 major Christmas debates and mapped the results by state.

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