From Kids to Adults, Cinnamon Reigns as the Best Flavor of the Holidays
By Chris Melore
People feel endless nostalgia when the most wonderful time of the year comes around. A new survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who celebrate a winter holiday found two in three would love to recreate the holiday magic of their favorite childhood memories this season. In fact, 72 percent claim they enjoyed the holidays more when they were young.
Sixty-nine percent of those polled had holiday traditions growing up and 43 percent say their longest-running holiday traditions have been going for 16 years or more.
Some of the most cherished traditions include decorating the Christmas tree (43%), seeing friends and family (40%), decorating the home (29%), watching classic holiday movies (26%), and eating holiday meals (25%).
More than a third (35%) say their fondest memories of the season occurred between the ages of six and 10 — marking the “golden era” for holiday magic.
Conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by the makers of SPAM, respondents also shared what they felt indicates the “true” start of the holiday season. Americans say putting up the Christmas tree (47%), holiday music playing on the radio (47%), putting up holiday decorations (46%), watching holiday movies (44%), and seeing seasonal foods or holiday flavors (42%) top the list.
Additionally, those surveyed think “Jingle Bells” (31%), “White Christmas” (29%), and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” (27%) are the top carols which put them in the holiday spirit.
Kids are growing up and making new holiday memories
Two in three survey respondents were parents, looking to create new holiday memories with their own children now. A large majority of them (91%) want their children to experience the magic of the holidays. Nearly as many (87%) want to give their kids their own fond memories of the holidays.
Seven in 10 (71%) agree that the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to start new traditions. Just as many believe new holiday traditions can last just as long as the established ones from their childhood.
The survey also revealed 52 percent have adapted their childhood holiday traditions to the present-day. This includes collecting new decorations (50%), watching modern remakes of classic holiday movies (43%), and connecting with friends and family virtually (41%).
One in four say their favorite way of modernizing traditions is by recreating old holiday recipes from their youth (28%).
“Now more than ever, people are seeking that warm and comforting feeling from past holiday traditions, and they want to share and evolve these traditions with their families,” says Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager for the SPAM Brand, in a statement. “This includes creating new yet simple ways to enjoy holiday activities and foods we love while establishing new interpretations of traditions that can be passed down for years to come.”
The survey found food plays a huge role in holiday traditions for 83 percent of people. Whether creating a new holiday dish or an old family recipe, respondents are motivated to create it because their friends and family enjoy it (56%), they enjoy it themselves (56%), and because of tradition and nostalgia (43%).
Flavors and spices that evoke feelings of holiday nostalgia and comfort the most are cinnamon (58%), pumpkin (54%), peppermint (52%), cocoa (47%), and nutmeg (39%).
Over half (56%) of respondents have tried to re-create something for the holidays from their childhood — including favorite holiday meals (59%), baked goods or treats (59%), and decorations (50%).
“Food is such a big part of holiday traditions because the popular seasonal ingredients and flavors we all love triggers fond and familiar memories,” Kinscher continues. “That’s why we’ve summed up the spirit of the holidays in one SPAM® can, taking consumers back to the nostalgia and comfort we all crave.”
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans who celebrate a winter holiday was commissioned by the makers of the SPAM® Brand between October 21 and October 26, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
Source: Study Finds
Chris Melore has been a writer, researcher, editor, and producer in the New York-area since 2006. He won a local Emmy award for his work in sports television in 2011.
Top image: Pixabay
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