All Over Albany

Poll: half say retail stores shouldn't open on Thanksgiving

A bunch of bits from the Siena poll's annual holiday survey of people in New York State:

+ 67 percent of respondents said they're excited about the holiday season -- 33 percent said they're not.

+ "Of the following, during this time of the year, which greeting is the one you yourself most often use, is it..."
Merry Christmas: 55 percent
Happy Holidays: 38 percent
Seasons' Greetings: 5 percent

+ 75 percent of people say they planned to put up a Christmas tree. On the ever contentious real vs artificial topic: real 39 percent | artificial 60 percent.

+ "[W]hat do you, personally, enjoy most about the holiday season?" Spending time with family and friends: 76 percent.

+ "[W]hat do you, personally, enjoy the least about the holiday season?" The commercialization of the holiday: 41 percent.

+ "Will you be shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving this year?" Yes: 23 percent | No: 69 percent.

+ "Do you think retailers should or should not be open to shoppers on Thanksgiving night?" Yes: 38 percent | No: 54 percent. The younger the person, the more likely they were to say yes (55 percent of 18-34 year olds).

+ 64 percent said they try to buy from local businesses.

+ There are roughly two group of people when it comes to gift budgets -- 57 percent said they plan to spend $599 or less, while 29 percent said they'd spend $1000 or more. (margin of error +/-3.9%)

+ The item people are most planning to buy as a gift: clothing (73 percent). 14 percent of people said they plan on a buying a tablet computer, more than a laptop (10 percent) or desktop (3 percent).

+ "Do you plan to purchase a gift for yourself this holiday season?" Yes: 28 percent | No: 69 percent.

+ 77 percent of respondents said they'd be making charitable donations. 39 percent said they'd be volunteering.

+ 64 percent of respondents said the holiday season starts too early.

+ "I hate to admit it but at this point I'm more Scrooge than Santa." Agree: 27 percent | Disagree: 62 percent.

+ "Would you say you believe in Santa Claus or not?" Believe: 37 percent | Do no believe: 62 percent. Most likely to believe: people 65 and older (50 percent).

SRI says the margin of error for the poll is +/- 3.6%.