The corona pandemic also affects Christmas. A survey was conducted to find out how Austrians celebrate Christmas this year.
Two thirds want to celebrate Christmas as usual
The Christmas celebration is very meaningful for Austrians, but Corona changes this time noticeably: “73 per cent of the respondents are convinced that the time before Christmas becomes fundamentally different this year. This is particularly evident at the Christmas markets: “If 75 percent still wanted to visit a market in 2019, this figure will shrink to 25 percent in 2020. More than half even think that it would be better to totally cancel the Christmas markets in general in view of the corona pandemic,” analyses Managing Director and head of the study Paul Unterhuber of Demox Research.
Hardly any changes to the Christmas budget
There are hardly changes with the Christmas budget: For gifts the Austrians want to spend in this year on the average €364 (in the previous year €365). “In view of the Corona crisis a surprisingly high value. That will not least make the trade very happy. Only the question remains, when this can open again,” Unterhuber said. Vouchers (29 per cent), toys (23 per cent), cash (22 per cent) and perfumery articles (14 per cent) are very popular as gifts.
However, 4 out of 10 respondents deliberately want to avoid shopping during this Advent. A quarter give gifts mainly through online shopping. 16 percent want to do without gifts in general. “The Covid crisis changes Christmas. Instead of Christmas markets, people are enjoying themselves at home. Christmas 2020 will be a contemplative celebration on a very small scale,” Unterhuber said.
Christmas tree is a must
A traditional companion for Christmas is the Christmas tree. 80 percent will put up one this year (4 percent more than 2019). The color red dominates the decorations, followed by gold. By the way, in 7 out of 10 families, the “Christkind” takes care of the packages under the tree, while Santa Claus is responsible for only seven percent. The most popular Christmas song this year is once again “Silent Night, Holy Night”, followed by “Last Christmas”.
The survey was conducted online between 23 and 25 November 2020 among 1,000 representatively selected Austrians aged 16 and over. The maximum fluctuation margin is 3 percent.
hp, Source: vienna.at. Picture: pixabay.com
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