General Lifestyle

Small Business Economic Confidence Dips

Small business owners' confidence in the U.S. economy dipped somewhat in December, although optimism about the year ahead still remains high, according to the monthly Discover (R) Small Business Watch (SM).

Four Days Left: 17% Still Haven’t Started Shopping

On Thursday, December 21, more than a million Americans bought their last Christmas gift of 2006. Hundreds of thousands more finally got around to starting their shopping.

Four Days to Go: 17% Still Haven’t Started Shopping

On Thursday, December 21, more than a million Americans bought their last Christmas gift of 2006. Hundreds of thousands more finally got around to starting their shopping.

The final Rasmussen Reports holiday shopping poll of the season found that 53% of Americans have finished shopping heading into the final weekend before Christmas. That’s up from 48% the day before and 23% a week ago. Forty-two percent (42%) of all adults say they still have shopping left to do this weekend while 5% are not sure.

Five Days to Go: 48% Have Finished Shopping

Over the past week, one-quarter of all American adults (25%) finished their Christmas shopping. With just five days to go, that brings the total to 48% who have already bought their last holiday gift.

Americans Divided on Cause of Global Warming

American voters tend to see Global Warming as a serious problem but are divided as to whether it’s caused by human activities or long-term planetary trends.

Poll: 77% Celebrate Christmas as a Religious Holiday

Rasmussen Reports surveys conducted this season have found that between 87% and 90% of American adults will celebrate Christmas in some form or another.

Few Following Progress of Discovery Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle Discovery has routinely done what once seemed amazing—a night launch, docking with an International Space Station, completing four walks in space, and more. But, few Americans find it amazing any more.

71% Rate Christmas As Most Important Holiday

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Americans consider Christmas one of the nation’s most important holidays. That figure is higher than for any other holiday.

65% Say Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Sixty-five percent (65%) of American adults say that the holiday season should focus more on the birth of Jesus.

28% Have Not Started Holiday Shopping

With only 12 shopping days left until Christmas, 28% of Americans have so far failed to purchase a single gift.

Home for the Holidays

The final holiday countdown is on and of all of the arrangements to be made, travel plans are not high on the list this year. Sixty percent (60%) of American adults plan to spend the holidays at home.

Kramer in Crisis

Actor Michael Richards, best known for his role as the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld,” earns unfavorable reviews from 42% of the American public. Thirty-two percent (32%) view him favorably.

51% Say Holiday Season is Joyful

Although they’ve been doing battle at the shopping malls to find the perfect gifts, 51% of respondents to a Rasmussen Reports survey about holiday shopping say they find this time of the year joyful.

62% Will Have Christmas Trees

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans will be decorating a Christmas tree this year. A Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 22% say they’ll skip this holiday tradition.

Shopping Season Officially Underway

Fifty-two percent (52%) of Americans have started their holiday shopping, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports holiday shopping survey.

69% Prefer “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays”

Of the many stress-inducing activities that typically are part of the holidays, how to express season’s greetings never used to be high on the list. Recently, however, the traditional “Merry Christmas” has become somewhat of a taboo expression.

Thanksgiving Rated Second Most Important Holiday

During the past six months, Rasmussen Reports has been asking Americans to rate the nation’s holidays and the clear winner so far is the Fourth of July.

81% Will Serve Turkey on Thanksgiving

When Americans gather around their dining tables this Thursday to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the overwhelming majority will have the traditional centerpiece to their meals: turkey.

ID Theft Concerns 83%

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that 83% of American adults are at least somewhat concerned about identity theft. This includes 47% who are “very concerned.”

40% Have Already Started Holiday Shopping

With only 40 shopping days left until Christmas, 56% of Americans need to hit the mall or the Web--they have not yet begun to shop for the holidays.