A new AP-NORC poll shows that many Americans are comfortable giving cash or gift cards as holiday presents, while a sizable portion plan to be asleep before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

About 6 in 10 adults consider cash or gift cards “very” acceptable as gifts, though fewer approve of secondhand or re-gifted items. Younger adults are more accepting of cash: roughly two-thirds of those under 45 say it is very acceptable, compared with 55% of those 45 and older.

“Everything’s too expensive nowadays. And I don’t want to buy a gift someone may not like. So cash,” said 26-year-old Gabriel Antonucci, a ski resort cook in Alaska. Some older Americans, like 55-year-old Florida resident Teresa Pedroza, prefer traditional presents but occasionally resort to gift cards for convenience.

Secondhand and re-gifted items are less widely embraced, especially among adults over 45. About 4 in 10 in that age group consider secondhand gifts “somewhat” or “very” unacceptable.

Many Americans also plan to leave holiday decorations up past New Year’s Day, while only about 2 in 10 put them up before Thanksgiving. About a quarter of adults plan to watch sports on Christmas, with men and older adults more likely to tune in, while only 5% will go to a movie.

Holiday traditions extend to pets and quirky customs: roughly 3 in 10 adults will give gifts to pets, while only about 1 in 10 will do Elf on the Shelf.

The poll also reflects generational differences in holiday routines. Nearly half of Americans say they will not stay up to ring in 2026, with older adults more likely than younger ones to head to bed early.

Source: AP