Parents Yearn for Childhood Holidays, New Survey Reveals

Eight in 10 parents wish they could relive the holiday magic of their childhood, according to new research commissioned by Club Wyndham. Two surveys, each involving 2,000 parents of children aged 5 to 17, explored the nostalgia parents feel for their own childhood celebrations and how they attempt to preserve that sense of wonder for their own families.

The surveys found that 81% of parents often or always wish they could go back and experience the holidays as they did when they were children. If given the chance to revisit a past decade, the 1990s emerged as the most favored, with 31% of parents citing it as having the best holiday celebrations.

Approximately 93% of parents regularly or occasionally recreate elements of their own childhood holidays for their children. Annie Roberts, senior vice president of Club and Owner Services at Club Wyndham, commented on this phenomenon: "There’s something about the holidays that brings you right back to being a kid — the traditions, the movies, the food and all those little rituals you looked forward to every year." She added, "What’s especially meaningful is seeing parents bring those traditions into their own homes while creating new ones with their kids. That mix of celebrating nostalgia and making new shared memories is really what the holidays are all about."

Parents most miss childhood family traditions (44%) during the holidays, followed by home-cooked family recipes (39%) and uninterrupted time together as a family (34%). Other nostalgic elements include holiday movies and specials watched together (32%), the surprise of unwrapped gifts (30%), the way homes were decorated (29%), and shared games or activities (28%).

Parents generally believe age 6 is the most magical time for a child to experience the holidays, with this sense of magic beginning to fade around age 11. Despite this, 89% of parents remain hopeful that their child still finds meaning in celebrating significant moments together.

Furthermore, 85% of parents feel the holiday spirit is present in their child, even among parents of teenagers, where 78% reported this sentiment. Over four in 10 parents (44%) are making an effort to be more present during the holidays, recognizing the limited number of seasons left with young children. This contrasts with 83% of parents who admit they were not fully present for many past holiday moments.

Nearly three-quarters of parents (74%) believe it is more challenging for families to engage with one another during the holidays today compared to their own childhoods. To foster connection, parents are increasingly looking to travel for significant occasions. Holidays (89%), birthdays (80%), and other life milestones (79%) are the primary events they wish to celebrate through trips.

Among parents who have traveled for such events, 87% stated that the shared time away has been crucial in creating memories, with 89% planning to continue this practice as their children age. This year, popular travel motivations include birthdays (39%), winter holidays (35%), family reunions (32%), the Fourth of July (30%), and spring break (28%).

Roberts further explained the impact of vacations: "Vacations give families the chance to step away from everyday distractions and focus on being together. We see that same idea come to life in our holiday experiences, where familiar traditions and nostalgic touches can spark memories for parents while giving families a chance to create entirely new ones together."

Methodology details indicate that Talker Research conducted two online surveys between June 3-12 and September 23-30, 2026. Each survey included 2,000 parents of school-aged children who celebrate occasions, have taken vacations together in the past year, and have internet access. The research was commissioned by Club Wyndham.