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This Is the Most Popular Christmas Tradition in Every State—Do You Agree with Your State’s Favorite Festivity?

No matter your age, what’s on your Christmas list or where you’re from, you probably have a favorite Christmas tradition. From watching Christmas movies to decorating your tree to making Christmas treats, there’s always that one thing you do that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit and says that Christmas time is finally here.

All up and down your block, your neighbors are likely enjoying some of the same traditions. That’s part of what makes the holiday season so special. Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition? Most of us do, and it turns out that where you live can have a big impact on the way you celebrate.

The folks at Innerbody, a health-and-wellness information website, decided to find out just what Christmas traditions were the most popular across the nation, and we have the results right here. So turn on some Christmas music, settle in by your twinkling Christmas tree and read on to learn which Christmas tradition was tops in your state.

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How was each state’s favorite Christmas tradition determined?

To find out each state’s favorite Christmas tradition, Innerbody scoured data from Google Trends looking for internet searches on dozens of Christmas topics, from Nov. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024. Then they ranked the Christmas-themed searches to determine which one was the most popular in each state. States were also ranked on their overall Christmas spirit, by combining the number of themed searches within each state, to determine which was the most and least festive.

Which Christmas tradition is the most popular in the country?

The most-searched Christmas tradition in the country is … the Santa hat! Yep, for the second year in a row, the holly, jolly Santa hat topped the list of most-searched Christmas-themed topics nationwide.

But while “Santa’s hat” was the most popular search term overall, each state got its say. We’ll break out the state-by-state results coming up, but when it comes to the Christmas traditions that topped the most individual states, the big winner was Secret Santa. The popular gift-exchange game earned the top spot in seven states: Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and Rhode Island.

However, two other favorite Christmas traditions are hot on the heels of the Secret Santa festivities. Not to be outdone, both “Christmas tree” and “Christmas Eve” ranked first in five states each, proving that some of the oldest holiday traditions are still the most beloved aspects of celebrating Christmas.

What are the most popular Christmas traditions in each state?

Do you like candy canes, Christmas trees or even your office’s yearly white elephant party? See if your favorite Christmas tradition has some company! Here are the top Christmas searches in every state.

  • Alabama: Christmas tree
  • Alaska: Jingle bells
  • Arizona: Winter wonderland
  • Arkansas: Christmas songs
  • California: Candy canes
  • Colorado: White elephant
  • Connecticut: Secret Santa
  • Delaware: Wrapping paper
  • Florida: Winter wonderland
  • Georgia: Christmas Eve and Christmas tree
  • Hawaii: Christmas songs
  • Idaho: Secret Santa
  • Illinois: Advent calendars
  • Indiana: Santa Claus
  • Iowa: Christmas music
  • Kansas: Candy canes
  • Kentucky: Ornaments and Christmas Eve
  • Louisiana: Wrapping paper
  • Maine: Advent calendars and Elf on a Shelf
  • Maryland: Secret Santa and Christmas Eve
  • Massachusetts: Secret Santa
  • Michigan: Advent calendar
  • Minnesota: Christmas cookies
  • Mississippi: Christmas decorations and Christmas songs
  • Missouri: Winter wonderland
  • Montana: Santa hats
  • Nebraska: Gift exchange
  • Nevada: White elephant
  • New Hampshire: Christmas cards
  • New Jersey: Winter wonderland
  • New Mexico: Secret Santa
  • New York: Secret Santa
  • North Carolina: Christmas tree
  • North Dakota: Christmas songs, ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas drinks
  • Ohio: Christmas Eve
  • Oklahoma: The Grinch
  • Oregon: Christmas tree
  • Pennsylvania: Rudolph
  • Rhode Island: Secret Santa
  • South Carolina: Christmas tree
  • South Dakota: Stockings
  • Tennessee: Rudolph
  • Texas: White elephant
  • Utah: The Grinch, Christmas movies, gingerbread houses, white elephant, wrapping paper and Christmas lights
  • Vermont: Christmas cookies
  • Virginia: Christmas Eve
  • Washington: Advent calendar
  • West Virginia: Santa hat and Christmas snowman
  • Wisconsin: Candy canes and Christmas cookies
  • Wyoming: Christmas presents

Which traditions are the most popular by region?

No region has a stronghold on individual Christmas-topic searches, but some parts of the country clearly have their favorites. People in the Northeast get excited to participate in Secret Santa, while people in the South favor the arts-and-craftsy fun of wrapping paper. As you look to the West, white elephant parties gain popularity, and for people in the Midwest, Christmas cookies and candy canes reign supreme.

Which states were the most (and least) festive?

West Virginia was the most festive state in the union for the fourth year in a row. The Mountaineer State has plenty of snow this time of year, which might also explain why “building a snowman” was a big Christmas theme in this state. Other festive states were Utah, South Dakota, Idaho and Kentucky. As far as the more bah-humbug states? That distinction goes to Washington, D.C., New York, Hawaii, Nevada and Maryland.

Were there any big surprises this year?

Despite the fact that ugly Christmas sweaters have long been a favorite holiday tradition, they’re far less popular this year than in years prior. Only the people of North Dakota got excited about the idea of sporting hideous yet festive Christmas knitwear. Perhaps more traditional and elevated attire is on trend for this year’s holiday parties!

And while most states channeled the Christmas spirit through a single festive holiday item, or maybe a two- or even three-way tie, one state in particular just could not make up its mind. Yep, Utah, with no fewer than six favorite Christmas traditions, can’t get enough of the Grinch, Christmas movies, gingerbread houses, white elephant parties, wrapping paper and Christmas lights this season.

Interestingly, Santa hats earned the top spot in only two states, Montana and West Virginia, even though the red-and-white stocking caps were the most popular search term overall. Santa hats were also the only Christmas-clothing item in the top 10. So if you have an old Santa hat lying around, rest assured that it’s not going out of style this Christmas season.

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Source:

  • Innerbody: “Which U.S. state is the most festive at Christmastime?”

The Best Christmas Movies of All Time

How to Avoid Holiday Shopping Scams

Merry Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

The post This Is the Most Popular Christmas Tradition in Every State—Do You Agree with Your State’s Favorite Festivity? appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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