83.8% of Spaniards say that spending time with family makes them feel Christmas in a special way

---

• 41.6% say that gifts in their home are given on Three Kings' Day, compared to 17.6% who say they are given at Christmas, according to the study on 'Feelings and behaviors towards Christmas'
• What Spaniards like least about Christmas is consumerism (30.1%)
• 81.2% say that what they feel most is “longing for loved ones who are no longer here or are far away”

The CIS (Spanish Centre for Sociological Research) has conducted a survey on Spaniards' attitudes and behaviors towards Christmas. Customs, travel, and what gifts to give are some of the questions included in this study.
87.6% of those surveyed stated that their most common activity during the Christmas season is "giving gifts to family or friends," 78.1% said they "play the Christmas or Epiphany lottery," and 77.7% indicated that "putting up a tree or other Christmas decorations" is what they usually do during this time. Conversely, 66.6% of Spaniards said they do not attend "religious Christmas celebrations," and 49.3% do not set up a "nativity scene" in their homes.

Among the people who usually travel during those days, 39.9% say they take cultural trips such as visiting museums or monuments, 27.1% say they take trips to nature or rural areas, and 7% indicate that they travel to do snow sports.

Christmas or Three Kings Day?

41.6% of Spaniards say that gifts are given in their homes on Three Kings' Day, compared to 17.6% who say it's at Christmas. 33.9% say that gifts are given in their homes on both holidays, and 5.9% of those surveyed say they don't give gifts on either occasion.

49% of those surveyed spend Christmas Eve at family members' homes, 47% at their own homes, and 1% with friends. Furthermore, 68.6% say they usually have dinner with other family members, 60.3% with their partner, and another 60.3% with their children.

Christmas is…

For 84.9% these holidays are of a family nature, 44.4% say they are commercial holidays and 36.1% say they are holidays of religious significance.

83.8% say that “getting closer to family” at this time of year makes them feel Christmas in a special way, 82.2% acknowledge that what they feel most about this time of year is “good feelings and generosity”, and 81.2% say that what they feel most is “longing for loved ones who are no longer here or are far away”.

What Spaniards enjoy most about these holidays is the gatherings with family (62.8%), far above the children's excitement on Three Kings' Night (6.9%) and the atmosphere, joy, lights and decorations (4.6%).

On the other side of the scale, what Spaniards like least about Christmas is consumerism (30.1%), followed by the hustle and bustle of people (14.6%) and remembering those who are no longer with us (5.9%).

These and other data can be found in the study 'Feelings and behaviors towards Christmas' which was carried out from December 18 to 23 and has a sample of 3,022 interviews.