Thanksgiving and Black Friday are like the dynamic duo of the holiday season—one gives us all the feels (and food), while the other tests the limits of our wallets and patience. At The Panel Station, we were curious: How do people really spend this festive time? So, we conducted a survey with our amazing panelists to uncover their habits, preferences, and quirks. The results? A delightful mix of tradition, strategy, and loads of fun. 
Here’s the inside scoop, told as a journey through the holiday season.
Gathering or Binging? How Do You Celebrate?
Thanksgiving is the ultimate mash-up of food, family, and fabulous chaos. From dodging that one aunt’s “when are you settling down?” questions to sneaking the last slice of pie, it’s a day of gratitude and maybe a food coma. According to our survey 47.40% of you cherish a big family gathering with a feast, with laughter, leftovers, and maybe a little family drama while 22.40% prefer a quiet dinner with close friends, swapping turkey for chill vibes. A relaxed 16.74% of you prefer to spend the day binge-watching movies, proving that couch potatoes deserve their moment, too. And 7.92% use Thanksgiving to volunteer or give back, reminding us of all what the holiday is truly about.
Feast Mode: What’s on the Thanksgiving Table?
What’s Thanksgiving without the feast? Just another Thursday with stretchy pants! We asked our panelists about their favorite dishes and their mouthwatering answers had us dreaming of turkey and pie on repeat.
38.57% said turkey is the star of the show. 23.42% are all about mashed potatoes and gravy, proving that carbs and comfort go hand in hand. While 27.71% confessed they prefer takeout, because sometimes, skipping the dishes is the real holiday blessing, 5.20% chose pumpkin pie, the sweet ending every feast deserves.
Black Friday swoops in right after Thanksgiving, turning gratitude into grab-it-ude! It’s the ultimate shop-a-thon where epic deals meet your wish lists. Did you know that a loyal 44.55% prefer local shops and small businesses, showing that small-town charm and unique finds are the real MVPs and 25.37% are mall devotees. These brave souls tackle the crowds, fuel up on pretzels, and treat every escalator ride as a sprint to the best deals.
To Budget or Not to Budget: That’s the Question
When it comes to holiday spending, our panelists had some strong opinions. A pragmatic 17.44% said they stick to a strict budget, likely armed with spreadsheets, calculators, and nerves of steel. The majority (58.37%) admitted their budget is flexible, depending on the deals. Translation: “I’ll budget until I see that 75% off sign!”
Let’s be honest, Black Friday is not for the faint of heart. So, we asked: What gets you out there in the madness?
- A whopping 80.70% gave the obvious answer: discounts. If there’s one thing we all agree on, it’s that “70% off” is music to the ears.
- 6.78% thrive on the thrill of the hunt, treating Black Friday like a high-stakes scavenger hunt.
- 8.65% admitted to a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out). Because if your neighbor got an air fryer for half off, you can’t miss out, right?
Wrapping It All Up
Whether it’s indulging in turkey, tackling a mall marathon, or snagging deals online, one thing’s clear: this time of year is all about balancing fun, food, and fabulous discounts.
So, how do you stack up? Are you a turkey traditionalist, a deal-hunting daredevil, or someone who just wings it? Whatever your style, here’s wishing you a season filled with joy, gratitude, and maybe a little extra room in your shopping cart.
Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping!
