A recent press release noted that a survey conducted for PC Financial looked at top stressors over the holiday season and found budgeting (41.3 per cent) to be at number 1, followed closely by choosing the "right" gift (41 per cent), with time management (31 per cent) rounding out the top three. Some Canadians (four per cent) reported being so stressed, that they "hate" the holidays.
Not surprisingly though, money matters top the list for an overwhelming majority.
The survey also found that family topped the list of what gives Canadians the most joy over the holidays, with 65 per cent stating that family time was their greatest holiday pleasure. Other holiday pleasures included enjoying food and drink (54 per cent), taking time off (45 per cent) and entertaining and attending holiday parties (30 per cent).
Budgeting topped the list of causes for stress during the holiday season.
According to the survey, paying post-holiday bills (29 per cent) and watching calorie consumption (25 per cent). A small number (four per cent) suffer from so much stress that they "hate the holidays."
According to the survey, respondents in Ontario (46 per cent), the Prairies (46 per cent), and Alberta (47 per cent) are more likely to enjoy holiday traditions than those in British Columbia (34 per cent), and Atlantic Canadians are more stressed about paying the bills after the holidays (42 per cent) compared to Ontarians (29 per cent), Albertans (23 per cent) and those from British Columbia (29 per cent).
