Are you frazzled and exhausted as you try to finish finding the perfect present for everyone on your nice list this year? Give yourself a break and just give the gift of cash, or buy a gift card, because it turns out, most people are fine with it.
A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 60% of Americans say cash or gift cards are “very acceptable” as holiday presents. According to the poll of 1,146 U.S. adults:
- Money is a safer gift for younger folks, as two-thirds of those under age 45 say cash is a “very acceptable” holiday gift, compared with 55% of adults over 45.
- Overall, nine in 10 consider cash or gift cards at least “somewhat acceptable.”
- Fewer say the same about secondhand gifts and re-gifted items, but opinions about it vary by age.
- Adults between 18 and 45 are more likely to think it’s acceptable to give a secondhand gift than those 45 and older (73% compared to 58%).
- About 40% of those 45 and older say secondhand gifts are “somewhat” or “very unacceptable.”
- The poll also reveals that about a quarter of adults are planning to watch sports on Christmas Day and 5% will be heading to a movie theater.
- Men are much more likely than women to say they’ll be watching sports on Christmas, (31% versus 18%) and older Americans (31%) are much more likely than younger ones (17%) to tune into sports on the holiday.
- But women are much more likely than men to say they’ll wear a holiday sweater or other festive accessories (42% compared to 25% of men).
- Fido and Fluffy will have something waiting under many Christmas trees, as about 30% of U.S. adults will be giving a present to their pet this year.
Source: AP-NORC
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