Two-thirds (66%) of American adults say Christmas is one of the nation’s most important holidays in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Just six percent (6%) say the holiday is one of the least important holidays of the year, while 27% place it somewhere in between.

These figures have remained steady over the past few years.

More Republicans (77%) regard Christmas as one of the most important holidays than Democrats (56%). Seventy percent (70%) of African-Americans view it as one of the most important holidays of the year, compared to 64% of whites.

Seventy-percent (70%) of women under 40 also rate Christmas as one of the most important holidays, but slightly fewer women over 40 (63%) share that view. While 72% of men over 40 regard the holiday as one of the most important, only 48% of men under 40 have the same opinion.

Eight percent (8%) of men and four percent (4%) of women consider Christmas one of the nation’s least important holidays. Eight percent of African-Americans (8%) and six percent (6%) of whites agree.

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Overall, 92% of adults say they will celebrate Christmas this year, and six percent (6%) will not. Two percent (2%) aren't sure.

Among those who are celebrating, 72% say they will be opening gifts on Christmas morning, while 21% will open them on Christmas Eve.

Women (76%) are more likely to open their gifts on Christmas morning than men (66%). More married adults (74%) also say they’ll open gifts in the morning than non-married adults (67%).

Some people better get going on their holiday shopping. With just a week to go, 31% said they still hadn’t started shopping yet.

As they rush to complete their shopping, Americans generally enjoy to be greeted with “Merry Christmas” rather than “Happy Holidays” as they leave stores.

Of those American adults who will celebrate Christmas, 81% say they will have a large dinner with family and friends. Thirteen percent (13%) will not.

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