Courtesy: GetCenturyLink graphic detailing U.S. states’ Christmas Spirit
With the holiday season in full effect and Christmas just around the corner, holiday cheer is a certainty. But according to the third annual GetCenturyLink state Christmas Spirit rankings, Florida is the Grinch.
According to the study, Florida is so anti-Christmas spirit that the dog from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Max) can’t stop this sled from ruining Whoville’s spirit.
While Christmas is arguably the most highly anticipated holiday of the year, considering the gift sales and decorations supersede anything after Halloween (almost two months before), some states just celebrate harder than others. And clearly, Florida needs some more holiday cheer.
GetCenturyLink’s study reviewed six key metrics over two data categories:
Online Activity
- Google searches for Christmas movies and gingerbread houses (29%)
- Online shopping (via Google Shopping Trends) for wrapping paper, Christmas cards, Christmas ornaments, and “Elf on a Shelf” (28%)
- Christmas music streams (14.5%)
- Christmas related tweets (7%)
Area Culture
- Charitable giving in the last documented tax year, as defined by the IRS (14.5%)
- Number of Christmas tree farms per capita (7%)
Uncoincidentally, or not. The three highest-ranking states with the most spirit were Utah, Idaho, and Wisconsin. And rounding out the bottom of the barrel were New Mexico, Hawaii, and Florida. While Washington D.C. was technically ranked last in the chart, they aren’t a state, which leaves Florida as the lowest ranking state on the list.
There is no specific data that points to why the northern states traditionally rank higher than those in the south, but it’s safe to assume it’s because they don’t get to see snow.
A “White Christmas” is more likely to light the spark in the fireplace than the 80-plus degree weather in Florida or Hawaii during the caroling season.
Palm trees coiled head-to-toe in lights, and the coolest holiday-themed town name must not be enough for Florida to jump ahead of Hawaii?
Florida was ranked three spots higher in 2019 but clearly failed to build on that mark set last year.
The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help either; with many Floridians without jobs this holiday season, it’s hard to imagine there are enough funds to go around to fill the bottom of the tree this holiday season.
In other words, Florida—step it up.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
