Holidays are a time when people come together and celebrate family, friends and togetherness.
About an hour after everyone gets together it happens, that taboo topic comes up and families take sides against one another.
In a preemptive move, Delaware Online/The News Journal presented 20 holiday topics that aren't taboo and could redirect those touchy conversations. In addition, we presented the topics on Instagram, allowing followers to pick sides and the results are rather telling.
Bruce Willis once said, "Die Hard is NOT a Christmas movie. It's a Bruce Willis movie!
That said, a majority of people disagree with the movie star and think it's a Christmas movie.
A star led the magi to the manger and the Christ child, but angels heralded the shepherds to the manger. Still, two-thirds of respondents said the star is the correct topper.
This was a 50-50 split between artificial and real trees, but come on, people, think about it. You have a real tree and once Christmas has passed, you throw it out to the curb. Artificial trees have to be broken down; it's an annoyance.
Our faith in society is being restored bit by bit. A high majority - 78% of voters - believe you should wait for everyone to wake up before opening presents. The 22% of people who voted to rip them open even if people are asleep, you're already on Santa's naughty list for next year.
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The White Elephant was known by 86% of people. Yankee Swap seems more like what will happen with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes when he wants to win a World Series.
Again, decent society wins out. A high majority (85%) say Christmas morning. I mean, geez, who wants to wait until Christmas night? And, if you have kids, who has the patience?
White and classic wins a tight race. People just like lights at Christmastime.
I cannot tell you how much some of these results have reinforced the notion that inherently people are good. After Thanksgiving won, collecting 65% of the votes in a three-way race. Neither After Halloween nor After Dec. 1 got out of the teens.
Sometimes, when taking a survey, people lie. Sure, 73% said one at a time, but I will bet you dollars to Christmas cookies if you peek in their window, they're tearing through the presents like a dog tears through a steak.
Love them or hate them, family letters, like Christmas trees, fall into the 50-50 range.
Sixty-one percent of people don't see Harry Potter as a Christmas flick. The bigger question is, how do you keep watching them? Good movies, one and all, but they aren't "The Godfather," "The Blues Brothers" or "Gone With the Wind."
The people have spoken! Eighty-one percent say you're allowed to leave your decorations up for a few weeks. Have another cup of hot cocoa and stare at the pretty lights.
Sadly, 54% of people have lost faith in the big guy at the North Pole. If the "Polar Express" is correct, a number of you won't be hearing the jingle bell this year. So sad.
The Elf on the Shelf is creepy, according to 67% of respondents. You have to go with the majority here. The elves are CIA - Claus Intelligence Agency.
For some reason, this debate was tight. The OG won, and rightly so, but with only 54% of the votes. It kind of makes you wonder because Jim Carrey's Grinch is creepier than Elf on a Shelf.
White lights defeat colorful lights 57-43, but this is wrong. Folks, variety is the spice of life. You need all the colors for a festive holiday.
We can all agree that ugly sweaters, by nature, are ugly and tacky. However, 66% of people think it's a festive tradition. Just don't look directly at them; it will only hurt your eyes.
Eggnog is a unique beverage that 53% of people think is so nasty they won't touch it. That said, I would suggest those people have an eggnog milkshake. Ice cream makes everything better.
Apparently, 57% of people are responsible and shopped weeks before Christmas. For the 7% who say Christmas Eve, Wawa has a lot of stuff that fills a stocking and you can get a hoagie for yourself, just saying.
"A Christmas Story" was selected by 71% of respondents. "It's a Wonderful Life" got 29%. Of course, I will be enjoying Bill Murray in "Scrooged."
We hope this helps you avoid Christmas battles. Happy holidays, everyone!