Poll reveals Canada's love/hate relationship with the holidays

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - A new Ipsos Reid survey reveals what Canadians love and hate about the holiday season.  Receiving meaningful gifts and spending time with family are tied for the most-loved traditions. Rounding out the top-five list is feeling good about giving to charity.

Canadians don't like aspects of the season that add to the materialism and stress of the holidays.  More than half of Canadians dislike shopping (52%), and extravagant gifts (69%). The least popular holiday tradition is winter driving - with four in five Canadians placing winter roads on their 'naughty' list.

The World Vision Gift Catalogue has meaningful presents that Canadians can feel good about giving. These gifts help support the more positive aspects of the holidays, while helping people avoid the traditional frustrations of the season.

Poll Results:

According to an Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of the World Vision Gift Catalogue:

Canada's five favourite holiday traditions:
	1)     Giving meaningful gifts (94% 'like')
	2)     Spending time with family (94% 'like')
	3)     Eating (93% 'like')
	4)     Joy of the season (90% 'like')
	5)     Feeling good about giving to charity  (87% 'like')
Canada's three most-hated holiday traditions:
	1)     Winter driving  (80% 'don't like')
	2)     Extravagant gifts (69% 'don't like')
	3)     Shopping (52% 'don't like')

Background:

• The World Vision Gift Catalogue is the leading charitable gift option in Canada.
• Last year, more than 60,000 Canadians purchased more than 200,000 World Vision gifts - giving more than $12.3 million worth of real, life-changing items to children, families and communities around the world.
• All gifts are requested by communities around the world as a way to help their children and families. Popular presents include tangible donations of Two Hens and a Rooster, Goats, School Supplies and Medical Supplies.
• Visit www.worldvision.ca/gifts or call 1-800-844-7993 for more information.

Findings from an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between October 11^th to 16^th, 2013 on behalf of the World Vision Gift Catalogue. For this survey, a sample of 1,031 Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. This poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points had all Canadians adults been polled. 

On Twitter:
#BringChristmasToLife

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

For interviews, photos and video contact:
Genevieve Handler Barber - 416-671-0086 or [email protected]
Sarah Bartley - 905-565-6200 x 4054 or [email protected]