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Americans Embrace Cash Gifts, Early Bedtimes as 2025 Draws to Close
As 2025 comes to an end, a new poll reveals a nation prioritizing practicality over tradition, with most Americans accepting cash gifts and planning to skip the midnight countdown on New Year’s Eve.
According to a recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, approximately 60% of Americans consider cash or gift cards “very acceptable” holiday presents. This pragmatic approach to gift-giving crosses generational lines, though it finds even stronger support among adults under 45, with about two-thirds of younger Americans endorsing cash gifts compared to 55% of those over 45.
“Everything’s too expensive nowadays. And I don’t want to go buy a gift for somebody and then it turns out they don’t like it. So cash,” explained Gabriel Antonucci, 26, a ski resort cook in Alaska.
The shift toward financial gifts reflects broader economic concerns as Americans navigate rising costs across various sectors. Cash and gift cards provide recipients flexibility during financially challenging times, allowing them to address personal needs or secure items they truly want.
Not everyone embraces the trend, however. Teresa Pedroza, 55, from central Florida, believes cash gifts diminish the holiday spirit. “I don’t like it when kids say they want cash, or I should get teenagers gift cards,” she said. “It kind of takes some of the charm away from gift giving.”
The survey also revealed divided opinions on secondhand and re-gifted items. While about 90% of respondents find cash or gift cards at least “somewhat” acceptable, only about 60% say the same for secondhand or re-gifted presents. The generation gap appears here too, with roughly three-quarters of adults under 45 accepting secondhand gifts compared to about 60% of older Americans.
As for New Year’s celebrations, 44% of Americans plan to be asleep before 2026 arrives. The tendency to turn in early increases with age—about half of adults 45 and older won’t stay up until midnight, compared to approximately one-third of younger adults.
Nancy Wyant, 73, a retired bus driver from rural central Iowa, represents this early-to-bed contingent. “At our age, we don’t do anything,” she said with a laugh about herself and her partner.
The poll uncovered other holiday habits as well. About one-third of Americans leave their decorations up beyond New Year’s Day, while about 20% put them up before Thanksgiving. This suggests many Americans are extending the holiday season, either from festive enthusiasm or simple convenience.
Sports viewing has become a Christmas Day tradition for many, with approximately 25% of Americans planning to watch sporting events on December 25. Men are significantly more likely than women to include sports in their Christmas celebrations, and older Americans tune in at higher rates than younger generations.
Pet owners are spreading the holiday cheer to their furry companions, with about 30% planning to give presents to their pets. Meanwhile, only about 10% of Americans participate in the relatively recent Elf on the Shelf tradition.
Despite changing attitudes toward some traditions, others remain strong. Many Americans still embrace holiday-themed clothing, with women more likely than men to don festive sweaters or accessories.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,146 adults between December 4-8 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error stands at plus or minus 4 percentage points.
As Americans prepare to close out 2025, these findings reflect a population balancing tradition with practicality, adapting holiday customs to fit changing economic realities and personal preferences in an increasingly complex world.
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11 Comments
The growing acceptance of cash gifts is an interesting cultural evolution. While some may view it as impersonal, the flexibility it provides can be quite valuable, especially in challenging economic times.
The rise in cash gifts highlights how economic factors can shape cultural traditions. While some may miss the more personalized approach, the practicality of financial gifts is undeniable. This shift reflects the changing needs and priorities of many Americans.
The growing popularity of cash gifts speaks to the financial realities many Americans face. While some may view it as impersonal, the flexibility it provides can be quite valuable. This pragmatic approach reflects a changing landscape in holiday traditions.
It’s fascinating to see how gift-giving preferences are adapting to the times. Cash and gift cards provide recipients the freedom to address their own needs, which is particularly valuable during periods of economic uncertainty. Though less sentimental, the practical benefits are clear.
The shift towards cash gifts is an intriguing cultural shift. While some may miss the personal touch, the practicality of financial gifts cannot be denied, especially given the economic pressures many Americans are navigating. It will be interesting to see how gift-giving norms continue to evolve.
This shift towards cash gifts reflects the financial realities many Americans face. It makes sense to provide recipients the freedom to address their own needs. Though not as sentimental, the practicality is undeniable.
I agree. With budgets tightening, the ability to choose how to use a gift becomes more valuable.
Cash gifts may lack the sentimental value of traditional presents, but the flexibility they offer can be quite valuable, particularly in challenging economic times. This pragmatic approach to gift-giving reflects the changing needs and priorities of many Americans.
Absolutely. The ability to address one’s own needs or priorities is a significant benefit of cash gifts, even if they are less personal.
It’s interesting to see how gift-giving preferences are evolving with the times. Cash and gift cards provide more flexibility, especially given economic pressures. Though some may miss the personal touch of traditional gifts, this practical approach has its merits.
Cash gifts may lack the personal touch, but they do allow recipients to address their own priorities. This pragmatic approach makes sense given the financial pressures many are facing. It will be interesting to see how gift-giving norms continue to evolve.