A survey conducted by homewares store Woodie's DIY has found that 86 per cent of Galwegians still love Christmas decorating, despite the stress many associate with this most seasonal of activities.

Christmas is a hectic time, trying to balance gift shopping, decorating and Christmas party commitments, but according to the Woodie's DIY annual Christmas survey, Galway people are still big fans of the festive season and embrace it with great enthusiasm.

According to the DIY shop's Christmas survey, 64 per cent of Galwegians decorate as a family, and 88 per cent of people wait until after 8 December to bling up their houses. The Christmas tree continues to be the traditional decoration of choice, followed by lights and the person we most associate with Christmas: Santa, of course.

To mark the festive season, Woodie's DIY is donating a large quantity of Christmas decorations to Temple Street Children's Hospital. Woodie's has also agreed to sell the hospital's stainless steel snowflake decoration, which retails at €5, through its network of 26 stores nationwide.

"We would like to thank Woodie's DIY for kindly offering to decorate the hospital. It was a very kind gesture and the decorations will really help to bring a little festive cheer to the hospital for the children who are in our care at the moment," said Denise Fitzgerald, CEO, the Fundraising Office, TSCUH.

The annual survey also reveals that Irish shoppers are becoming more conscious of their energy footprint during the festive season. Seventy-three per cent of the shoppers surveyed are now taking active measures to reduce consumption levels by using long life bulbs, while switching off Christmas lights and turnings off appliances are also cited as measures that people are taking to reduce energy usage this festive season.

Christmas colour themes are important but not essential with just 48 per cent choosing a theme. Galway shoppers are keeping to the traditional colour schemes of red and gold this year.

Sixty-nine per cent of consumers surveyed like to dust off the Christmas decorations from the attic, while also adding some new pieces and 31 per cent of shoppers opt for a whole new look by changing all of their decorations each year. There is also a strong trend towards decorating outside, with 52 per cent of those surveyed in Galway putting Christmas lights indoors and outdoors.

As expected, over 83 per cent of shoppers in Galway spend at least €200 on Christmas gifts. When asked about their favourite Christmas song, the traditional favourites were shoppers' songs of choice, with Jingle Bells the number one. Presumably due to the Galway Bay mention, The Pogues' classic, 'Fairytale in New York', came in second place.

Finally, when asked if they will be cleaning their chimney for Santa, only 54 per cent of shoppers said yes. A clear indication of the rise in apartment living in Galway!

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment