Seasonal Lawn Anxieties: Spending, Damage, and Insecurities

Is your holiday lawn display causing more stress than joy? Many Americans face seasonal anxieties about their lawns, from spending on decorations to fearing judgment from neighbors. This article explores these common concerns, backed by a survey of 1,000 people, and offers practical tips to keep your garden festive and stress-free. You'll learn about the most popular holiday plants, the hidden costs of lawn care, and how to avoid damage. Make your lawn a source of pride this year — not stress.

Key Takeaways

• 1 in 4 worry that their lawns don't appear festive enough during the holidays.
• 1 in 5 Americans have experienced damage to their lawn or garden from others during the holiday season.
• 1 in 4 Americans have felt judged by their neighbors for their decorations during the holiday season.
• Nearly 15% of Americans forgo decorating and keep their lights off to avoid judgment during Halloween.
• Over 15% of Americans spend $250 or more on decorating and maintaining their gardens and lawns during Christmas, the most of any holiday.

Holiday Lawn Decorating

• 1 in 4 worry that their lawns don't appear festive enough during the holidays.
• Percentage feeling anxious about holiday garden/lawn upkeep:
• Halloween (20%)
• Thanksgiving (15%)
• Christmas (30%)
• Percentage feeling pressured to keep up with neighbors' garden/lawn holiday decorations:
• Halloween (22%)
• Thanksgiving (12%)
• Christmas (34%)
• Money spent decorating and maintaining gardens/lawns during the holidays:
• Halloween:
• $1 to $50 (40%)
• $50 to $100 (30%)
• $101 to $250 (15%)
• $251 to $500 (5%)
• More than $500 (1%)
• None (10%)
• Thanksgiving:
• $1 to $50 (48%)
• $50 to $100 (26%)
• $101 to $250 (11%)
• $251 to $500 (2%)
• More than $500 (1%)
• None (13%)
• Christmas:
• $1 to $50 (26%)
• $50 to $100 (24%)
• $101 to $250 (26%)
• $251 to $500 (12%)
• More than $500 (4%)
• None (8%)
• Most frequently sighted holiday porch plants:
• Halloween:
• Pumpkins (92%)
• Cornstalks (51%)
• Gourds (51%)
• Hay bales (49%)
• Indian corn (41%)
• Thanksgiving:
• Pumpkins (62%)
• Gourds (57%)
• Indian corn (55%)
• Cornstalks (49%)
• Hay bales (39%)
• Christmas:
• Christmas trees (78%)
• Poinsettias (66%)
• Mistletoes (64%)
• Evergreen wreaths (63%)
• Holly (59%)
• 30% of Americans report that Christmas is the holiday during which they feel the most anxiety about maintaining their gardens and lawns.
• Over 15% of Americans spend $250 or more on decorating and maintaining their gardens and lawns during Christmas, the most of any holiday.
• Americans who invest significantly more in decorating and maintaining their gardens and lawns during Christmas are 130% more likely to experience heightened anxiety compared to those who don't decorate.
• On average, the Northeast spends the most on Christmas decorating and maintenance. 
• Nearly 15% of Americans forgo decorating and keep their lights off to avoid judgment during Halloween.

 

Neighbor Judgment and Lawn Protection

• Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have gossiped about their neighbors' holiday lawns or decorations.
• 1 in 5 Americans have experienced damage to their lawn or garden from others during the holiday season.
• 1 in 4 Americans have felt judged by their neighbors for their decorations during the holiday season.
• Reasons for judging neighbors' lawns during the holidays:
• Excessive decorations (26%)
• Cluttered appearance (20%)
• Poor maintenance (18%)
• No decorations (13%)
• Too few decorations (12%)
• Biggest insecurities about lawns during the holiday season:
• Managing leaf and debris buildup (32%)
• Appearance not being festive enough (25%)
• Snow and ice damage (22%)
• Maintaining green, healthy grass in cold weather (20%)
• Appearance compared to neighbors' lawns (20%)

Celebrate Your Lawn, Your Way

While the pressures and anxieties surrounding holiday lawn and garden decorations can seem overwhelming, it's important to remember that the true spirit of the season is about joy and community. Focus on what brings you and your family happiness, whether it's a few beloved decorations or a simple, clean lawn.

Remember, it's not about competing with your neighbors but creating a space that reflects your unique style. Whether you go all out with decorations or keep things minimalist, your holiday lawn can still be a source of pride and joy. Here's to a stress-free, joyous holiday season filled with beautiful, welcoming outdoor spaces!

 

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore their perceptions of their lawns and gardens during the holiday season. The average age of respondents was 41 and comprised 49% males, 50% females, and 1% non-binary individuals. Their generational makeup included 10% baby boomers, 24% Gen X, 50% millennials, and 16% Gen Z. Some percentages in this study don't total 100% due to rounding.

 

About First Saturday Lime

Specializing in the world's most advanced limestone repellent, First Saturday Lime delivers unmatched safety and effectiveness. Our solutions are designed to keep pests at bay while prioritizing eco-friendly practices.

 

Fair Use Statement

Noncommercial reproduction is allowed as long as you link to the original article.