Here at Christmas FM we will consider all things Christmas – nothing gets rejected, even wacky US surveys about Christmas traditions.

One out today caught our eye.

It  found young folk in the US are keenly competitive about festooning their gafs with festive gear with one in four slapping up not one but TWO Christmas trees.

Three in five millennials ( souls entering the world between 81 to 96) and 41% of Gen Z (born after 1997) said it’s “important” they have the best holiday decor in their neighborhood, according to the research from a huge sort of arts and crafts retailer in the US and Canada.

That “ important “ description sounded kind of steely. In Ireland most people would probably have said “fun”.

Decor style

Anyway, the poll from Michaels Stores asked 2,000 young people  for their burning thoughts on Christmas decor and found a third (32%) prefer the classic, traditional decor — reds and greens or blues and silver. 

Twenty percent prefer to keep everything wintery and white, while 14% like to embrace trendy, artistic decor for the holidays. Fancy eh!!

For many, following a theme doesn’t stop at decor — 46% from both generations like their gifts to follow a specific theme and 52% are willing to spend at least $100 on wrapping materials to make sure gifts stick to an aesthetic. 

The latter is where the team at Christmas FM felt Ireland may differ. 

We felt most people we know, not just young but of all ages, are fairly thrifty when it comes to the wrapping paper.

With many just using environmentally friendly (and cheap) newspapers. And anyone over the age of thirteen has long abandoned “aesthetic” themed gifting but heigh ho!!

Lovin the Christmas movies

Both US millennials and Gen Zers hanker after traditions like watching their favorite holiday movies (59%), and baking (53%). Which is nice to hear – two activities we can get behind at Christmas FM.

Cookie swaps — where participants trade their baked goods — are also back: 47% are planning to participate in one this year, and 74% of those respondents reporting this is the first year after the pandemic they feel comfortable participating in a cookie swap. And about not getting covid, we presume?

Now this is a trend that given proper promotion could really take off in Ireland but could we please try scones instead ? 

Another popular holiday tradition included putting up a Christmas tree during the holidays (88%). 

We felt this result was a poor show  – everyone needs a tree , even if it is one of those cute mini ones from the supermarket, even if you live solo, actually especially if you live solo, you gotta have the tree!

But we were stunned to learn that four in ten put up more than one tree. 

Now that is impressive even if nearly half of them prefer a fake. You gotta keep it real with the tree, if you can, is what we maintain.

Not crazy about the EOTS

Traditions like Elf on the Shelf ( or EOTS as we refer to it) were popular with one in five Gen Z and Millennials (22%) planning to participate.

Now the elf on the shelf is something we are reluctant about in Ireland.

Is it not a bit mean to have a boogie man sitting there watching the family. We see the bribe potential but are not sure we approve.

A majority of parents surveyed (84%) said they like to let their kids decorate the home for the holidays. Now, if they did this in Ireland the answer would be one hundred percent. No question!