Poll: 19 of 20 Americans observe Christmas

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PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Nineteen of 20 U.S. residents celebrate Christmas, including 80 percent of non-Christians, a Gallup Poll released Friday indicated.

The percentage of people who celebrate the holiday has stayed almost the same since 1994 but the share who describe it as a "strongly religious" one has increased, the poll showed. A majority of those surveyed said their celebrations include religious activities, with 62 percent going to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, 65 percent including religious symbols in their decorations and 78 percent saying they take some time to reflect on Christ's birth.

But non-religious traditions are even more common with almost everyone saying they exchange presents and get together with relatives and friends and 88 percent saying they have a Christmas tree.

Gallup surveyed 1,019 adults by telephone Dec. 10-12. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.