10 Holiday Fun Facts

Tis the season to be jolly!

Here are a few fun facts regarding the holiday season in the U.S. that you may not know:

1. Nine in 10 Americans say they celebrate Christmas while 32% view it as more of a cultural holiday than a religious one.

2. USPS will deliver 16 billion holiday letters, packages, and cards.

3. Over 100 million Americans will travel for the holidays this year.

4. 86% of Americans say they buy holiday gifts for family or friends.

5. Americans aim to spend an average of $935.58 each during the holiday shopping season this year.

6. Total holiday sales are expected to be over $655 billion.

7. 85% of Americans say they will probably give someone candy as a gift.

8. Americans eat about 3,000 calories worth of food during a typical holiday dinner.

9. 22 million turkeys are eaten for Christmas.

10. Americans bought nearly 26 million real Christmas trees last year and more than 13 billion fake ones.

The facts I found most surprising were #7 and #8 above. I honestly didn't think candy was that popular a holiday gift, but I suppose it isn't all that astounding when you factor in co-workers. From what I've seen, chocolate is probably the most widely exchanged gift in the workplace.

As for #8, I knew Americans don't shy away from a hearty holiday meal, but 3,000 calories? It's no wonder applications for gym memberships surge in the New Year! I plan to go on a diet as of January 2 in order to shed a couple of pounds I've gained over the last few months.

I also wanted to add that gift cards have to be one of the best ideas ever dreamed up. When you don't know what to buy someone, and you just don't feel like giving them cash, a gift card makes a no-hassle choice -- and there's no wrapping involved!

From my family to yours, I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays and a blessed New Year!

Comments

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...

How To Understand People

Search This Blog