Poll: Two-thirds of Americans say shopping centers are Christmas’s most stressful places

Malls and shopping centers aiming to bring joy into the hearts of shoppers this holiday season should consider scaling down their ad budgets and ceasing play of “Jingle Bells.”

That’s the advice offered by a survey of 2,000 adults surveyed by OnePoll on behalf of the coffee beverage company International Delight.

Sixty-four percent of those polled said shopping centers deal them the most amount of stress during the winter months, greater than do airports (59%) and post offices (58%). Crowds (60%), long lines (53%), and noise (52%) were the biggest contributors to their discomfort.

Incessant repetition of renowned Christmas carols is another one of their chief complaints. The top five tunes on their “please do not play as much” list are “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

One of their gripes, however, could end up having a positive financial effect on retailers and landlords who respond to it. Nearly half of survey respondents said they feel overwhelmed by shopping ads and insensitive or negative content being posted online during the holiday season.

Clifton, N.J.-based International Delight conducted the poll to promote its holiday launch of limited-edtition Grinch-themed coffee creamers in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

“Despite the excitement of the holidays, the crowds, long lines, and noise can make what is meant to be the most cheerful time of year feel ‘grinchy,’” said Kallie Goodwin, VP of marketing at International Delight. “We’re on an endless mission to spread joy and celebration.”

What did survey respondents say most warmed their hearts at Christmas? People being kind to each other, holiday cards, and the smell of Christmas.