And a clear majority of over-65s – the most at-risk age group – think allowing three families to bubble together in homes for five days is too great a relaxation, Ipsos MORI discovered.
The public concern is revealed as the Christmas rules come under pressure from MPs and scientists fearing an upsurge of cases after the festivities.
In a marked change of tone, senior minister Stephen Barclay said people needed to do "the minimum" in their bubbles in order to act responsibly.
"It's not that all restrictions are being lifted,” he stressed.
"We've got to trust the British people to act responsibly and do the minimum that is possible for them in their family situation."
The Christmas bubble rules were agreed by the four nations on November 25. From 23 December to 27 December, families can join up to two other households to celebrate in homes.
Today’s exclusive research by Ipsos MORI for the Evening Standard found that only 39 per cent of the public believes the Christmas rules are “about right”.
A bigger proportion, 49 per cent, said they were “not strict enough”, but this rose to 56 per cent among the over-65s.
Among younger people aged 18 to 34, 44 per cent said they were about right, and 45 per cent said the rules were not strict enough.
There is also a political divide, with 56 per cent of Labour Party supporters saying the rules are too soft, compared with 41 per cent of Conservatives.
Seven in 10 people say they are looking forward to Christmas, which is down from 81 per cent in a 2014 survey by Ipsos MORI.
But three in 10 are worried about how much it will cost, rising to 44 per cent of young people. Just over two in 10 already feel “stressed” about their preparations.
Women are more stressed than men – 26 per cent v 17 per cent.
Worries about money and preparations are virtually unchanged since 2014, despite the impact of the virus on family incomes.
Health chiefs have appealed to people not to take risks – and not to see the relaxation of rules banning indoor socialising as “anything goes”. Young people are being urged to take extra precautions against covid-19 before being in close contact with elderly relatives and hugs are not encouraged.
Ipsos MORI Research Director Keiran Pedley said: “The overwhelming majority of Britons are looking forward to Christmas but they are split on whether the relaxed rules are strict enough.
"Some are nervous, with a majority of those aged 55 and over telling us they think the relaxed rules are not strict enough and a third of this age group not looking forward to Christmas more generally.”
Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,027 adults across GB by telephone, from December 4th to 10th. Data are weighted. Full details at www.ipsos-mori.com
