On the 13th December 2005 a survey was conducted within Australia finding the emphasis place by people on this special occasion is on family rather then the religious message of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Sensis conducted a survey of 1500 people which found a staggering ‘95% plan to celebrate Christmas with family’. Further ‘75% will eat the Christmas meal at home and decorate the house. Only a tiny minority numbering 8% will eat in a restaurant.’
Disturbingly only ‘one in three’ will attend a religious service. This year Christmas will be on Sunday. The survey also found that giving gifts came a ‘close second scoring 94%’.
On a positive note the survey author Christena Singh believes that Christmas is focus on people rather than material desires saying: “It shows the importance that Australians place on their relationships with their family and friends, even ahead of giving gifts and the commercial side of Christmas.”