Interested in finding out how other NCP panel members feel about holiday shopping? Well, we have some data for you!

But first, let me explain: NCP has been conducting an Advisory Board, with rotating members, for the past few years. The NCP Advisory Board functions as an ongoing, online focus group. Each group usually lasts two or three months, and then we start a new one, with new board members. A few times a month we’ll ask the board members to provide their opinions about a specific NCP-related topic. Our belief is that, as an NCP panelist, there’s no one better to ask about what we can do to enhance the panel.

With that said, our most recent Advisory Board group was asked about their holiday shopping experiences. (Please note: This is not scientific! It’s just a snapshot into some of our panelists’ opinions.) Here is what they said:

When do you start your holiday shopping?

  • Start before September: 16.7%
  • Start September or October: 14.3%
  • Start November to early December: 42.9%
  • Start mid-December: 11.9%
  • Start day/days before holiday: 4.8%
  • Don’t holiday shop: 7.1%

Compared with last year, how much money are you planning to spend on holiday shopping?

  • More: 15.4%
  • Same: 53.8%
  • Less: 30.8%

Did you take advantage of Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping/deals?

  • Black Friday only: 17.9%
  • Cyber Monday only: 12.8%
  • Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday: 17.9%
  • Shopped that weekend, but not on Black Friday or Cyber Monday: 5.1%
  • Didn’t shop Black Friday, the weekend, or Cyber Monday: 46.2%

How many friends or family members do you typically shop for during the holiday season?

  • 1 – 5: 23.1%
  • 6 – 10: 51.3%
  • 11 – 15: 23.1%
  • More than 15: 2.6%

When holiday shopping, where do you get the best deals?

  • Online: 51.2%
  • In-store: 39.0%

When making holiday purchases, how do you typically pay?

  • Credit: 45.9%
  • Debit: 32.4%
  • Cash: 16.2%
  • PayPal: 2.7%

When do you typically start putting up your holiday decorations?

  • Start during November: 29.4%
  • Start the day after Thanksgiving: 14.7%
  • Start early December: 38.2%
  • Start days before the holiday: 17.6%

Do you have a favorite holiday song?

Yes: 58.6%

Songs include:

  • Silent night
  • Jingle Bells
  • Little Drummer Boy
  • Holy Night
  • Feliz Navidad
  • White Christmas
  • Winter Wonderland
  • All I Want For Christmas is You

Do you have a favorite holiday show/special that you look forward to watching each year?

Yes: 44.8%

Shows include:

  • How The Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Polar Express
  • Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
  • A Christmas Carol
  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • White Christmas
  • A Christmas Story
  • Charlie Brown Christmas

Note: This particular Advisory Board contains 50 members. Numbers may not add up to 100%, due to rounding and other factors.

We hope you enjoyed reading these results. Please let us know how you would answer these questions by leaving a comment or two.

And one last thing: If you’re able to, please recycle or reuse any wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, etc. Thank you.

We here at NCP wish you a happy and healthy holiday!

Best Regards,
Taylor

More From NCP: