December 21, 2021
Holidays & Outlook for the New Year, Dec 2021
Marist National Poll
Majority of Americans Plan to Celebrate the Holidays with Vaccinated People Only... Optimism for the New Year Lowest in More than a Decade
Amid a heightened sense of holiday stress and lack of optimism for the new year, a majority of Americans are making a concerted effort to gather only with family and friends who are vaccinated against coronavirus.
While 42% of Americans plan to gather with people this holiday season regardless of their vaccination status, 52% report they will celebrate only with people who have been vaccinated against coronavirus. Democrats (79%), residents 45 or older (57%), and women (56%) are more likely than their counterparts to limit their holiday celebrations based on vaccine status.
Americans divide about whether they are more optimistic (49%) or more pessimistic (47%) about what’s ahead for the world in 2022. Optimism for the new year has reached an all-time low and is down from 56% in 2020. Republicans (68%) and Baby Boomers (56%) are among those who are most pessimistic.
A majority of Americans say the holiday season is more fun (52%) than stressful (43%). Yet, the proportion who say they are stressed out is up from 38% in 2018. While women divide (48% more fun to 47% more stressful), a majority of men (57%) say the holiday season is more fun.
Online Holiday Shopping Reverts to Pre-COVID Levels
37% of holiday shoppers nationally, down from a high of 53% in 2020, say they plan to shop online for all or most of their gifts this year. That figure is comparable to 33% in 2018. 40% expect to buy some gifts online, and 22% say they will not buy any holiday presents online.