Ahhh, there’s simply nothing like the cozy holiday season. It’s an inviting time of warmth, joy, and, of course, those (growing?) arguments about when to start spreading the cheer – especially because it seems to happen earlier every year.
Of course, not all of us who love diving headfirst into the holidays go about it the same way when it comes to greetings, celebrations, and when (if ever) it is acceptable to blare Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” on repeat.
So what about those more used to the cold in “The Great White North”? How do they feel about holiday greetings and when festivities should commence? We surveyed 1,500 Canadians to get their take on both.
Key Takeaways
- Over half of our survey respondents don’t care what greeting is used, as long as they’re getting a dose of cheer
- 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?
While almost everyone loves a genuine holiday greeting in any form, it’s important to feel comfortable when you’re the person delivering one. As for the showdown between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays,” 61% of those surveyed are more likely to deliver the former, rather than the latter at 34%. Here’s the preferred salutation breakdown 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
Sure, only four out of the 13 territories and provinces prefer “Happy Holidays” when it comes to festive lingo, but how does the data shake out in major cities? Turns out, not too differently. Only three out of the 19 cities represented in our survey preferred it to Merry Christmas (though in fairness, there were two ties).
Bah Humbug! Or Happy Festivus, if you prefer
As much as there is a personal use preference among Canadians, they are a laid-back bunch when it comes to the holiday greetings they believe others should use. According to our numbers, over half of folks (52%) simply don’t mind which greeting is used – it’s about the sentiment, after all.
Of those left, 32% of Canucks believe they should be hearing a classic “Merry Christmas” and embrace a more traditional expression of the holiday spirit, while the remaining 16% believe people should opt for the inclusive and encompassing “Happy Holidays” to spread cheer far and wide.
You may be thinking: If 52% of people don’t care what holiday greeting should be used, what else is being said? Well, you’re in luck, because there is a holy (g)host of options that Canadians use throughout the 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!
With such a great variety of culture and fun in those greetings, it’s no wonder why more than half don’t mind what they hear – because they get to learn, too! Language classes, anyone?
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So, when do Canadians prefer to unleash their seasonal spirit?
According to our data, there’s a pretty fair split: 32% of Canadians believe holiday greetings should start being sung from the rooftops in the first week of December, 31% prefer to wait it out until the week before Christmas, and 21% believe in the perfect balance, saying two weeks before is just right.
Of the 16% left, 8% are in the spirit right after Thanksgiving and 6% said they believe it’s never too early – a holiday affinity you’ve just got to respect. Only 1% noted they’d say it before Thanksgiving, and the last 1% don’t think either are worth saying at all (the Scrooges of the bunch).
Whether you plan on visiting Quebec for the holidays and think French lessons online would be a good preparatory idea, or you just have an interest in language, Preply can help make your – or even someone else’s – holiday wishes come true. Joyeux Noel!
Methodology
In November 2023, we surveyed 1,500 Canadians throughout all thirteen provinces and territories, with 49% being women, 49% men, and 2% identifying as non-binary. The median age of respondents was 32 years old.
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