Whiting, U.S.A. — As the classic holiday song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Or is it? A new survey reveals that some aspects of the holiday season can be irk-inducing.

The survey, conducted by coupon site CouponCabin.com, reveals people’s biggest holiday pet peeves, with traffic congestion and crowding topping the list. This survey was conducted online nationwide by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com from November 30  – December 4, 2012, among 2,691 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

While traffic congestion and crowding are the top holiday pet peeves for 52 percent of U.S. adults, a variety of other holiday happenings made the list:

• How early the holiday decorations, sales and store displays start  – 46 percent
• All anyone thinks about is gifts, not the spirit of the holidays – 42 percent
• People who cut in line – 35 percent
• Travel prices being too high – 28 percent
• Too much holiday music on radio stations or in stores – 23 percent
• Pressure to give gifts to more people than I really want to – 22 percent
• When people leave their Christmas tree/lights up until late winter (February or March) – 16 percent
• People who double dip at holiday parties – 12 percent
• Stores that don’t give out boxes – 10 percent
• Family members or friends who don’t bring anything when I’m hosting a party – 6 percent
• Other – 6 percent

While the holiday season’s pressures can frazzle many people, others stay festive no matter what. The majority (89 percent) report they have holiday pet peeves, but more than one-in-ten (11 percent) said they don’t have any.

“The holidays are typically the busiest time of year for many people, leaving them prone to burnout and frustration,” said Jackie Warrick, President at CouponCabin.com. “Make sure to carve out time in your day to take care of your own needs, as well as reflect on what the true meaning of the holidays are to you.”

Whether it’s a pet peeve or a frustration, when asked what is their least favorite part of the holiday season, a random sampling of U.S. adults surveyed said the following:

• Thanksgiving being forgotten.
• Added pressure at work to cram everything in and get everything done before the end of the year, right when you want to relax and focus on the season.
• Burnout! By the time Christmas is here I’m ready for it to be over.
• Taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all the decorations.
• Annoying TV commercials, like the one with the car wrapped in a giant bow as a gift.
• Everyone feels the need to be artificially friendly.
• Hangovers.
• So many parties and demands on my time then in January, things are dead.
• Spending money on gifts that should really be used for bills or savings.
• The frenzy to purchase the latest electronic gadget.
• Weight gain caused by the vast amounts of food and snacks that we buy, make or are surrounded by.
• Having to go to office parties.
• Using my credit card when I prefer to pay cash for items and usually charge some gifts during this time.
• All the same songs are overplayed.
• The political debates my family gets into after we’ve all had too much eggnog.
• Putting the lights on my house.
• Realizing how fast another year went by and that my children have gotten old enough that the Christmas “magic” is no longer there.
• Saying goodbye to friends and relatives.

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