Every holiday season, the same debates are held nationwide. People wonder if it’s too early to decorate, what time we should get up on Christmas morning, and if it’s ever okay to re-gift.
To find out the answer to these and other Christmas-related questions, entertainment platform BetMGM Casino commissioned a nationwide survey of 2,000 U.S. adults to settle some of the country’s most hotly debated festive questions.
As a brand rooted in fun, competition, and shared moments, BetMGM knows a good debate is part of what makes celebrations memorable.
Christmas Tree and Decorations Go Up, And Down, Early
It seems Americans are in a hurry to decorate early, but just as ready to pack it all away once the big day ends.
Are our holiday festivities starting and ending sooner than they used to? Over 1 in 5 Americans (22%) now decorate before Thanksgiving, with many seeing November 1st as the unofficial start of the holiday season. And nearly half (48%) take their tree down early, before the traditional Twelfth Night.
Staying In Is the New Going Out
The survey shows that Christmas in 2025 is less about going out and more about staying in. More than half of Americans say they stay in on Christmas Eve (56%), favoring quiet nights over parties or nights out.
And when the big day finally arrives, it’s clear comfort comes first: only 2 in 5 Americans get dressed on Christmas Day, with the majority (62%) choosing to stay in their pajamas.
Differing Views on Board Games
Family game night is a time-honored tradition, but it’s also one of the season’s most contentious activities.
Over a third of Americans (35%) say they either skip board games entirely or find that these games spark arguments, while almost two-fifths (38%) say they’re essential holiday fun. More than a quarter (27%) remain undecided, stating they are both essential and cause arguments.
It seems that not everyone can handle a round of Monopoly in the spirit of goodwill.
The Re-Gifting Era and the Rise of “Practical Presents”
Gifts aren’t the centerpiece of Christmas joy; in fact, only 12% of Americans say giving or receiving presents is their favorite part of the holiday.
Even more telling, 7 in 10 Americans say re-gifting is perfectly acceptable.
As for the presents most likely to be passed on? Self-help books top the list of unwanted gifts (20%), followed by clothing the receiver didn’t choose (19%), and that stocking stuffer nobody asked for; socks (13%).
So if your gift ends up under someone else’s tree next year, don’t take it personally; it’s just the new holiday etiquette.
Waking Up Early is Essential
One thing that has been made clear is that Christmas Day starts early; 7 in 10 Americans (71%) wake up before 8 a.m. — the excitement of being the first to rush downstairs and open presents left by Santa clearly hasn’t faded since childhood. Under a third wake up past 9 a.m. (29%).
About “The Great Christmas Debate”
“The Great Christmas Debate” was created by BetMGM Casino and set out to answer some of the most enduring festive questions.
The survey was conducted on October 28, 2025, via Pollfish, based on a demographically representative sample of 2,000 U.S. adults with post-stratified data to reflect national population trends.
Consider the debate officially settled — at least until next year.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re putting the decorations up at the start of the holiday season, or not even yet thinking of Christmas, you can have a great time playing all the exciting online casino games at BetMGM.
BetMGM Casino has thousands of incredible games of chance, including online slots, live dealer games, table games, and much more. You can even find great promotions and the fantastic BetMGM Rewards program for an even better online gambling experience.
Register to celebrate your favorite holiday at any time of year with BetMGM Casino.
