WHAT THE DATA SAY: 7 in 10 want to avoid talking politics this holiday season

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

NO POLITICS AT THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY DINNER

After a divisive election season, Americans want to enjoy the holidays without talking about politics, based on our Harris Poll research with the American Psychological Association.

• 7 in 10 want to avoid political discussions with family this holiday season.
• 83% agree that the holidays are a time to forget political differences.
• 39% say they are stressed by the thought of politics coming up at holiday gatherings.
• Yet 65% say that, if politics do come up, they are not worried about it hurting family relationships.

TRADITION RULES IN THE KITCHEN

Americans are most influenced by family traditions and nostalgia when making holiday meals, according to our Harris Poll survey with Instacart.

• 88% are gearing up to cook festive meals for Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s Eve.
• 67% say family traditions are a top influence when selecting holiday dishes (73% for women versus 61% for men).
• Married people (73%) are more likely than non-married (62%) to be influenced by traditions.
• Turkey (56%) and ham (52%) are the most preferred main dishes.
• Yet younger generations are venturing beyond the traditional, favoring chicken dishes (47% for Gen Z and 43% for Millennials versus Gen X at 28% and Boomers at 21%).
• Hot chocolate is Americans’ favorite holiday beverage (58%), followed by eggnog (42%), cider (26%), mulled wine (13%) and hot toddy (13%).

TRUST IN COMMUNICATORS HIGHER THAN CEO’S

Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) are more trusted than CEOs, according to the fourth annual CEO-Communicators Perceptions Survey by HarrisX and Ragan Communications.

• 76% of non-CCOs report trusting their CCOs “a great deal” on external communications, followed by 72% for internal/employee communications, 67% for DE&I, 64% for media relations and 60% for sustainability.
• Trust in CEOS on DE&I matters has declined to 42% in 2024 (from 53% in 2023 and 59% in 2022).
• While 79% of leaders believe AI positively affects communication quality, smaller organizations remain hesitant to adopt the tools into the communications tech stack.
• See also: Key takeaways from the Ragan and HarrisX 4th annual Survey of Communications Leaders

40% HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE JOB INTERVIEW THIS YEAR

Americans are struggling more than ever to land job interviews, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Staffing Association.

• 45% will continue looking for a job in the new year.
• 42% have applied to 10 or more positions this year.
• 50% would not accept a job without a remote or hybrid policy.
• 31% would not apply for a job opening that required a cover letter.

TOO MUCH SHOPPING

The ease of online shopping is hurting Americans’ finances, according to our Harris Poll research with NerdWallet.

• 22% have made impulse purchases that have significantly affected their finances in the past 12 months.
• 16% have spent more on impulse purchases than they put into their retirement accounts.
• 40% of young people who are feeling financially squeezed attribute it to their excessive spending on non-essentials.

ICYMI:

In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

• The State Of The Workplace And What’s Coming In 2025
• Where CEOs and comms leaders align on the state of the workplace
• Code and Theory’s Dan Gardner on why AI’s unknown future is the perfect time for big ideas
• Apple attracts Baby Boomers with cutting-edge wellness features