While many Canadians might not want to “let it snow” in real life, most do want to hear that tune playing as they shovel gifts into their shopping carts, a new survey says.

A poll conducted by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) says 82 per cent of people enjoy holiday music while they shop. What they don’t appreciate, it seems, is the barrage of seasonal songs beginning before December.

About six in 10 people said their shopping experience would be improved if stores held off on Christmas music until the last month of the year.

But as soon as the moment is right, songs about red-nosed reindeer are generally appreciated, the survey said. About 64 per cent of people said they wouldn’t mind hearing holiday songs while waiting in the doctor’s office, and 58 per cent would welcome hearing Christmas music on the bus.

The online poll of 1,451 Canadians also revealed 29 per cent of shoppers have stayed in a store longer because of the music being played. Though 36 per cent said they’ve left sooner for the same reason.

SOCAN, which licenses music for more than 125,000 businesses across Canada, also revealed some quirks in the way our musical tastes change with age.

Thirty-seven per cent of those 55 and older preferred only traditional holiday music, compared to 24 per cent of those 54 and younger. Keeping with the classic mindset, 17 per cent also said they’d enjoy it if live carollers sang to them in stores.

And perhaps most bizarrely, apparently 10 per cent of those under 35 think their experience would be improved with the inclusion of a live DJ spinning tracks while they shop.