Songs, Movies, and What’s Under the Christmas Tree for Canadians This Year
The holiday season is upon us, and Canadians are preparing to celebrate Christmas in their unique and festive ways. To uncover what makes the holiday special, we surveyed 1,000 Canadian residents aged 18-99 on November 26, 2024, exploring their preferences for gifts, spending habits, and traditions. From the most desired gifts to favourite Christmas songs and movies, here’s what Canadians have to say about the most wonderful time of the year.
Most-Wanted Christmas Gifts
When it comes to wish lists, gift cards and money top the charts, with 49.4% of respondents naming them as their most desired gifts. This reflects a practical trend, allowing recipients to choose what they truly want. Electronics and gadgets follow at 10.1%, appealing to tech enthusiasts, while 9.2% of Canadians dream of travel and experiences, hinting at a longing for adventure.
Other popular categories include clothing and beauty (8.7%), food and drinks (7.6%), and books, games, and toys (6.8%). Surprisingly, this year, jewelry and accessories (4.1%) and home and lifestyle items (4.1%) garnered less interest.
Holiday Budgets
Canadians carefully budget their holiday spending, with nearly half (48.5%) planning to spend between $300 and $1,000. A significant portion (33.2%) will keep their expenses under $300, showcasing a more frugal approach. Meanwhile, 16.3% anticipate spending between $1,000 and $3,000, and a small minority (2%) will splurge beyond $3,000.
This spending behaviour highlights a balanced approach to holiday shopping, with most Canadians focusing on meaningful gifts without breaking the bank.
Fun Fact: Younger Canadians, especially Gen Z, are more likely to stick to smaller budgets, while older age groups lean toward higher spending ranges.
Crypto for Christmas Shopping?
Despite the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, traditional payment methods remain dominant. A resounding 87.3% of respondents said they would not use crypto for Christmas shopping, while only 12.7% expressed interest in using digital currencies.
Although crypto isn’t mainstream for holiday purchases yet, its niche appeal indicates potential growth in the coming years as Canadians become more familiar with blockchain technology.
Why the hesitation? Crypto’s volatility and limited retailer adoption seem to keep Canadians sticking to tried-and-true methods.
What Canadians Are Gifting
The gifts Canadians plan to give this year align closely with their personal preferences. Gift cards and money are the most common choices (41.2%), followed by books, games, and toys (14%)—a nod to timeless holiday traditions. Clothing and beauty products come next at 13.2%, with electronics and gadgets rounding out the top four at 9.3%.
Interestingly, travel and experiences (3.8%) and jewelry and accessories (3.4%) rank lower on the gifting list, suggesting a focus on practical or sentimental presents over luxury items.
Ultimate Christmas Playlist
Music is integral to the holiday season, and Canadians have clear favourites. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” reigns supreme with 23.20% of the vote, proving its enduring popularity. Andy Williams’ “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” takes second place (13%), followed by Wham!’s “Last Christmas” at 10.10%.
Other beloved classics include “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (7.90%), Frank Sinatra’s “Jingle Bells” (7.80%), and Dean Martin’s “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (5.9%). Modern hits like Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” (4.2%) and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” (2.4%) also make appearances, reflecting generational influences on holiday music preferences.
Holiday Blockbusters
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without cozy movie nights, and Canadians have a clear favourite: Home Alone (1990), which garnered 30.7% of the votes. Kevin McCallister's hilarious antics have solidified this film as a holiday classic. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) follows at 15.50%, with the whimsical story of the Grinch resonating across generations.
Other cherished films include Elf (2003) (11.1%), A Christmas Story (1983) (7.4%), and A Christmas Carol (2009) (6.8%). Notably, The Polar Express (2004) and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) also hold special places in Canadians’ hearts.
A Very Canadian Christmas
For most Canadians, Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones. An overwhelming 81% plan to spend the holiday with family at home, emphasizing the importance of togetherness. A smaller percentage (5.60%) will enjoy some alone time, while 4.1% plan to celebrate with friends.
Other festive activities include travelling (3.3%), watching movies or TV shows (2.5%), and cooking (1.90%). Exploring Christmas markets, decorating, and gaming are niche preferences, with less than 1% participation each.
Gender Differences
When it comes to gender-specific preferences, gift cards and money dominate both lists, with 49.58% of men and 49.24% of women favouring them. However, the rankings diverge for other categories:
- Men: Electronics and gadgets (16.6%) are a clear second choice, while food and drinks (8.19%) and books, games, and toys (7.35%) follow closely.
- Women: Travel and experiences (11.26%) take second place, highlighting a preference for memorable moments. Clothing and beauty (9.73%) and jewelry and accessories (6.30%) are also popular.
These differences reflect diverse interests across genders, with men leaning towards tech and women favouring experiences and fashion.
Christmas in Canada is Practical, Nostalgic, and Heartfelt
Our survey reveals that Canadians cherish the holiday season, focusing on family (81% plan to celebrate with loved ones at home), cherished traditions, and thoughtful gifting. While practical gifts like gift cards remain the most popular choice (49.4% of respondents), there’s also a significant interest in experiences like travel (9.2%) and personal enjoyment, including electronics and gadgets (10.1%).
Whether it’s belting out Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (23.2% named it their favourite holiday song), rewatching Home Alone (30.7% ranked it as the top Christmas movie) for the umpteenth time, or gathering around the table with loved ones, Canadians are embracing the spirit of Christmas in heartfelt ways.
Methodology
We surveyed 1,000 Canadian residents aged 18-99. The age distribution was well-balanced, with the highest representation among those aged 28-43 (31.3%) and 44-59 (31.2%). Participants answered a range of questions about their Christmas preferences, spending habits, and traditions.
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