With the holiday season upon us, a new national study highlights how Maryland and Washington, D.C. stack up when it comes to Christmas spirit, and the results show a similar lack of holiday between the two neighbors.
According to a new analysis by Innerbody Research, Maryland ranks as the 5th “Grinchiest” state in the country, placing it among the least festive states in America. Its top seasonal search term this year? “Christmas Eve.” While Marylanders may not rank high on overall holiday enthusiasm, the data shows they are most interested in the anticipation and tradition surrounding the night before Christmas.
Just a short drive away, Washington, D.C. comes in dead last, 51st overall, making it the least festive place in the U.S. The District joins New York and Hawaii at the bottom of the list, with all three showing relatively low levels of Christmas-related online engagement and search activity.
The results are even more striking when compared to Maryland’s western neighbor: West Virginia is ranked the single most festive state in the country, with Utah and South Dakota taking the second and third spots.
Nationally, the study highlights several holiday search trends. For the second year in a row, Santa hats are the most-searched holiday item in the U.S., while “Mistletoe” topped the list of least popular holiday-related searches. Four states, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, and Washington, showed particularly high interest in finding the perfect Advent calendars, and while Oklahoma and Utah aren’t viewed as Grinch-like, both states had unusually high search interest in “The Grinch.”
Innerbody also notes some broader trends: despite the holiday rush, topics tied to presents, decorations, lights, and gift exchanges were less searched overall, hinting at a possible decline in material-focused holiday planning. And whether you’re talking about Washington state or Washington, D.C., the study found a similar pattern: neither is overflowing with holiday spirit this year.
Those interested in the full breakdown can explore the complete report and graphics at Innerbody Research’s website.
