As I was listening to the TV news after Thanksgiving, a baby boomer news reporter mentioned that one of the post Thanksgiving activities was taking grandma and grandpa to the airport.
It reminded me that the younger generations have changed the way holidays are celebrated. In the past, families gathered at the oldest relative’s home. Now, the younger generations decide where the celebration will be and who’s invited.
Wondering about generational differences for celebrating the holidays?
A survey by Russell Herder, a Minneapolis research firm, takes a look at how different generations celebrate the holidays and how people’s political affiliation affect the way they celebrate. Some of the findings include:
- Millennials are four times more likely than boomers to have dinner catered.
- Millennials are six times more likely than boomers to invite Bernie Sanders to dinner.
- Republicans are 2.5 times more likely to invite Donald Trump than Marco Rubio to dinner.
- Millennials are 10 times more likely than boomers to discuss pop culture at a holiday dinner. Of those with no affiliation, about three in 10 discuss current events.
- Millennials are 2.5 times more likely than boomers to skip holiday music altogether. Independents are nearly two times more likely than Democrats to listen to country music.
I hope your holiday get togethers go well and everyone has good behavior. For most holiday gatherings with family, I avoid the topic of politics because conversations can get heated and I’ve learned you don’t need to try to change people’s minds to think like you.
I must be an Independent, b/c while I might invite a local politician for dinner, there’s no way I’d have any of those a presidential candidates in my house. P.S. Isn’t “catered” just a fancy word for “takeout”?
Hi Tom,
If you or I did invite a presidential candidate to our house, my rule about not talking about politics would certainly go out the window.
That’s funny. I hadn’t thought about “catered” meaning takeout, but you’re probably right. Many millennials might not have the funds for a catered dinner.
Rita