Does your state have the Christmas spirit?
All I want for Christmas… is to live in a state with the most Christmas spirit. After all, nothing says it’s the most wonderful time of the year than the sound of the sleigh bells jingling, the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and the Christmas lights lighting up the streets.
The holiday season is a time to celebrate, appreciate what we have and spread joy, happiness, and kindness all around us. It’s no secret that Americans love Christmas (excluding the occasional scrooges) and would go to great extents to create a dreamy Christmas each and every year. However, some states are better and more committed to spreading Christmas joy than others. Do you think your state has made it to the top ten states with the most Christmas spirit? Take a look for yourself!
Washington, D.C
Number one in our top 10 states with the most Christmas spirit is our Nation’s Capital. Washington D.C. isn’t a state per se, but the level of festive zeal and holiday cheer could not go unnoticed.
Year after year Washington D.C has stepped up its Xmas decoration game, turning into a place not only full of history and politics but also full of Christmas lights and festivities. The White House is even more impressive during the holidays when it serves as the background for all sorts of amazing light shows and no detail is left behind when it comes to decorating it.
Washington D.C. also hosts plenty of events to choose from, so that no person is left outside the capital’s Christmassy bubble. What can we say? Kudos on your gold medal, Washington D.C.!
Pennsylvania
The silver medal goes to Pennsylvania and its residents who will stop at nothing to recreate the perfect Christmas atmosphere each and every year. After all, it’s not for nothing that Penn State is home to the city of Bethlehem, which is also known as the Christmas City.
With the state rooted in holiday charm, it seems that people here fully embrace the season to be jolly and want to share their joy with anyone crossing their state limits. This time of the year, Pennsylvania is covered in lights, the air is filled with the voice of carolers and the Christmas tree markets are waiting for you to buy your perfect Christmas tree.
Tennessee
First is the worst, second is the best, third the one with the hairy chest! However, it’s not the hairy chests that brought Tennessee the third place in our top. It’s the third-highest amount of Christmas cheer and spirit that convinced us that Tennessee is the only ten we see. If that’s not something to be proud of, I don’t know what is!
The Volunteer State offers plenty of Christmas destinations and attractions, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the beautiful Memphis and the nostalgic Elvis’s Graceland. If you want to experience a country-style Christmas, head to Nashville for some country twang carols and songs. How-dee!
Washington
We can only assume that when Santa reaches Washington every Christmas Eve, he always likes what he sees: impressive string lights, trees, and decorations that could make Santa’s village pale by comparison. Okay, maybe not Santa’s village but, for sure, many cities all over the world.
If you live in Washington, you can probably confirm that the state is in a Christmassy league of its own, which makes it an even more exciting place to be in during the holidays. There are numerous Christmas Lighting Festivals and events organized this time of the year but the most impressive one is, by far, the Victorian Country Christmas festival. It makes you want to transport yourself into the Christmas Carol story!
Ohio
Ohio is also a place where the Christmas spirit is at its highest. If you want to go back in time, the Victorian Village can show you a glimpse of the past and give you a taste of the traditional Christmas. But wait, it gets even better!
From amazing lights to impressive train displays, there’s nothing stopping residents of Ohio from making the most of this holiday. Hundreds of decorations and lights? Checked. Christmas festivals? Double check. After all, it’s only once a year that we get to celebrate Christmas, so why not do it with style and fun!
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the most historical places in the nation. After all, it is the place where the Pilgrims first settled, at least officially, shaping the course of American history. But Christmas was not always a popular holiday in Massachusetts. In fact, because the Pilgrims were Puritans, they did not celebrate this festive period and even punished those who did.
In the 1800s, the restrictions were eliminated, and people could enjoy Christmas together with their loved ones again. Maybe it’s because it has been kept away from them for so long, that Massachusetts residents love this holiday so much now. As if they are trying to make it up for their lost Christmas time, they have no problem going overboard with the Christmas decorations and festivities.
Missouri
What’s the best part of Christmas in Missouri? The fact that a delicious BBQ is included in the Christmas tradition, or so we’ve heard. If you are a resident of the Show-Me State, that it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that your state has made in so far up the Christmas spirit ladder. After all, everyone seems to be a fan of this festive period.
Every December, sometimes even earlier, Missouri moves heaven and earth to make sure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, live their greatest Christmas moments ever. From cozying up in a remote, snow-laden lodge to enjoying the light shows and festivals organized all across the state or visiting Santa’s Magical Kingdom, there are plenty of festive things to do. Christmas spirit ON!
Alabama
Tis the season to be jolly but for Alabama, the holiday season is serious business. In fact, the Yellowhammer State was the first state in the country to call Christmas an official holiday back in 1836. Ever since that memorable day, Alabamians have made it their mission to uphold the law and make the most of it.
The high level of Christmas spirit can be seen from the airplane, what with the amounts of Christmas decorations and lights covering the houses, buildings and streets, as if they have their own landing strip. Needless to say, Alabama is also home to the magical Candyland. Imagine what Christmas looks like over there!
Iowa
Iowa is one of the few places where you can actually live the experience of a hometown, white Christmas. In the Hawkeye State, there is always a 50 percent chance of snow in December, so, it’s the most wonderful time of the year indeed, for snow lovers.
There are so many Christmassy things to do in Iowa, from visiting the smaller towns and attending their holiday parades and festival to admiring the thousands of lights covering historic as well as modern buildings in the bigger cities. Iowa City is a very popular destination where there’s no shortage of holiday cheer and festive fun. If you are an animal lover, you will be happy to find out that you can show your love to the animals at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. You get to bring them presents and turn into a legit Santa Claus for furry friends.
Mississippi
Mississippi might be hard to spell but when it comes to having the Christmas spirit, it’s as easy as stealing candy from a baby. Grinch much? Let’s just say, easy as giving candy to a baby…because Christmas is really about giving and sharing. The weather in the Magnolia State might not go hand in hand with your picture of Christmas but when you see how people in this state celebrate this holiday every year, you will get into the Christmas spirit faster than you could say Rudolph’s name!
After all, Mississippi occupies the tenth position for a reason. Several reasons, actually. From experiencing a magical, musical Christmas in Collins or enjoying the annual Christmas on the Water celebration in Biloxi to making your way to the state’s capital to admire the extravagant decorations and tree exhibits or celebrating a traditional, Southern Christmas in Olive Branch, there’s a place for every taste.
Bonus! We thought numbers 11 and 12 also deserve to be mentioned and appreciated for their efforts in maintaining the holiday cheer. So, here they are!
West Virginia
West Virginia might not have made it to the top ten states with the most Christmas spirit, but the eleventh spot is still pretty great. Kudos, West Virginia for the exciting festivities, attractions and events organized to bring happiness and lots of smiles to people’s faces.
If your state is not the best place to be during the holidays, you can head out to the Mountain State for some fresh air and Christmas cheer. Visit Harpers Ferry and enjoy their Old Thyme Christmas show, visit Charleston for a traditional Christmas parade or check out the numerous light festivals organized across the state. There are plenty of things to do in West Virginia during the holidays, so what are you waiting for?
New York
The twelfth place on our Christmas top is occupied by New York. Despite being beaten by 11 other states, we’ve got to admit that Christmas in the Big Apple is something else entirely. It might not be the first location that comes to mind if you want to feel and experience a traditional, festive Christmas, but that doesn’t make New York less impressive during the holidays.
In fact, with so many places to visit and so many things to do, certain people see it as one of the most magical places to spend Christmas in. Imagine the city covered in snow, the huge Christmas tree outside Rockefeller Center lighting up the ice rink and the endless streets and shops full of holiday decorations and festive cheer. Need we say more?
