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For most people in Austria, Christmas is all about family. A new survey shows that three out of four Austrians see the holiday primarily as a family celebration. Interestingly, it is the younger generation that holds on to rituals most strongly, while older adults are increasingly letting go of traditional customs.
Christmas as a Family Affair
According to a recent ImmoScout24 survey, 76 percent of respondents plan to celebrate Christmas with their families. Only a small minority spend the evening with friends or on their own.
Two-thirds (66 percent) celebrate Christmas Eve with their immediate family. Another 10 percent extend the gathering to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A quieter celebration appeals to 18 percent, who prefer to spend the evening alone or as a couple. Only 5 percent celebrate with friends, and neighborhood or community celebrations are practically nonexistent. Just 1 percent say they will travel during the holidays.
Young Adults Embrace Atmosphere and Rituals
Austrians aged 18 to 29 place particular importance on creating a festive atmosphere: 73 percent want their homes to feel especially cozy during the holidays. Across all age groups, the figure is slightly lower at 67 percent. Women tend to focus more on scents, lighting, and ambiance than men.
Nearly half of all respondents (49 percent) maintain traditional Christmas rituals such as baking cookies, decorating the tree, or preparing a festive dinner. These customs are especially meaningful for people aged 30 to 39 (59 percent) and for women (54 percent).
Scents also play a major role: 47 percent associate Christmas strongly with the smell of pine branches, vanilla crescents, or candles — among women, this rises to 57 percent.
Traditions Lose Importance With Age
The older the respondents, the less central traditions become. Among those aged 50 and above, only 40 percent consider family rituals important. Nine percent of this age group say they have no particular expectations for the holiday at all, compared with an overall average of 6 percent.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted online by Innofact AG in November 2025 on behalf of ImmoScout24. Around 500 Austrians aged 18 to 65 took part, representing the country’s population.
- Hector Pascua with reports from vienna.at/picture: Image by OurWhisky Foundation from Pixabay
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