Holiday Greetings That Every True Canadian Loves

Ah, the holiday season is truly a magical time filled with warmth and joy! However, it also brings the familiar debate about when to kick off the festivities. As each year passes, it feels like the celebrations start earlier and earlier, sparking lively discussions among friends and family.

Not everyone who enthusiastically embraces the holiday season shares the same approach to greetings, celebrations, or the ideal timing for blasting Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on repeat. Each of us has our own unique way of celebrating this festive time!

How do Canadians, accustomed to the chill of “The Great White North,” perceive holiday greetings and the timing of festive celebrations? To find out, we surveyed 1,500 residents across the country for their insights on these seasonal traditions.

Key Takeaways

• More than 50% of survey participants prioritize receiving cheerful messages over the specific greeting used.
• Saskatchewan had the biggest percentage gap between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays,” with 89% preferring the former
• Only one percent said they think it’s okay to use holiday greetings before Thanksgiving
• Quebec was the only province that had “Happy Holidays” win out

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These findings are based on data, don’t ya know?

Everyone appreciates a heartfelt holiday greeting, but it’s essential for the sender to feel at ease while sharing their wishes. When it comes to the debate between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays,” a survey reveals that 61% of respondents prefer to say the former, compared to 34% who opt for the latter. Let’s take a closer look at how preferences vary by province:

• Alberta: Merry Christmas
• British Columbia: Happy Holidays
• Manitoba: Merry Christmas
• New Brunswick: Merry Christmas
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Merry Christmas
• Northwest Territories: Merry Christmas
• Nova Scotia: Happy Holidays
• Nunavut: Merry Christmas
• Ontario: Merry Christmas
• Prince Edward Island: Happy Holidays
• Quebec: Happy Holidays
• Saskatchewan: Merry Christmas
• Yukon: Merry Christmas

While just four of the 13 territories and provinces lean towards “Happy Holidays” for seasonal greetings, how do major cities compare? Interestingly, the trend is quite similar. In our survey of 19 cities, only three showed a preference for “Happy Holidays” over “Merry Christmas,” although it’s worth noting that two cities were tied in their responses.

Bah Humbug! Or Happy Festivus, if you prefer

Canadians have their own preferences when it comes to holiday greetings, but they tend to be pretty relaxed about what others choose to say. Our data shows that more than half of Canadians (52%) don’t have a strong opinion on the specific greeting; for them, it’s all about the sentiment behind the message.

Among those surveyed, 32% of Canucks feel that the classic greeting “Merry Christmas” is the way to go, favoring a traditional approach to celebrating the holiday spirit. In contrast, 16% advocate for the more inclusive “Happy Holidays,” believing it promotes a broader sense of joy and togetherness during the festive season.

You might be wondering: If 52% of people are indifferent about which holiday greeting to use, what else is going on? Fortunately, you’re in for a treat! Canadians have a diverse array of festive greetings to choose from during the holiday season.

• Bah Humbug!
• Enjoy the time off!
• Enjoy your winter holidays!
• Happy Solstice!
• Happy New Year!
• Season’s Greetings!
• Happy Festivus!
• Feliz Navidad!
• Happy Christmas!
• Happy Hanukkah!
• Happy Diwali!
• Joyeux Noel!
• Joyeux Temps Des Fetes!
• Maligayang Bati!

The diverse and vibrant greetings in different cultures are not only enjoyable but also educational, which is why over half of people appreciate them. After all, who wouldn’t want to learn something new? How about signing up for a language class?

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So, when do Canadians prefer to unleash their seasonal spirit?

Our data reveals an interesting divide among Canadians regarding the timing of holiday greetings: 32% feel that festive carols should kick off from the rooftops in the first week of December, while 31% advocate for holding off until the week before Christmas. Additionally, 21% find a middle ground, believing that starting two weeks prior strikes the perfect balance.

Among the remaining 16%, 8% embrace the holiday spirit right after Thanksgiving, while 6% believe it’s never too early to celebrate—an enthusiasm worth admiring. Just 1% would start the festivities before Thanksgiving, and another 1% dismiss the idea entirely, making them the true Scrooges of the group.

Are you gearing up for a holiday trip to Quebec and considering online French lessons to enhance your experience? Or perhaps you simply have a passion for learning new languages? LingualNeeds is here to help fulfill your holiday aspirations—or those of someone special in your life. Joyeux Noël!

Methodology

In November 2023, we conducted a comprehensive survey of 1,500 Canadians across all thirteen provinces and territories. Our diverse sample included 49% women, 49% men, and 2% non-binary individuals, reflecting a balanced representation. The respondents had a median age of 32, providing valuable insights into the perspectives of younger Canadians.

Fair Use

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