Tis the Season of Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays

Ah the holidays. A time for giving, thankfulness and family. It's also a time of stress, over spending and arguments. Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Do you buy a real or an artificial tree? Do you spend more or less this year on gifts?

A new Siena poll shows the majority of New Yorkers will spend the same this holiday season and put up a tree but but only half prefer Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays.

51% of New Yorkers, most often say ‘Merry Christmas’ rather than ‘Happy Holidays,' at 38%. Which do you prefer? Do you even care?

What about the tree? Does it have to be real so you can enjoy that fresh pine scent? Or do you go artificial so you're not finding pine needles next Summer?

72% of New Yorkers will put up a Christmas Tree but in 61% of the homes it will be an artificial rather than real tree. Most of those trees will be in Upstate New York homes but only 41% will be real.

Spending:

57% of New Yorkers plan to spend about the same this year
31% plan to lessen their spending
9% intend to spend more
51% plan to hold their gift spending under $500
24% have budgeted $1000 or more
66% plan to conduct at least some of their shopping online this year.

Tis the season to give back and over three-quarters of New Yorkers will be making donations of money, food or gifts to charitable organizations while 37% plan to volunteer.

At your house this holiday is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays while you sit around an artificial or real tree?

BONUS VIDEO