Christmas, Hanukkah's Festival of Lights, Diwali's earthen lamps, Shen Dan Jieh's family gatherings, and Eid al-Fitr's communal prayers, all blend into the American tradition of celebration in December.
Families unite in a series of enchanting traditions. They venture to Christmas markets, a sensory feast of gingerbread aromas, and artisanal crafts that hark back to medieval Europe. The hunt for the Christmas tree becomes a cherished expedition to frosted tree farms, each family selecting a tree as unique as they are. Neighborhoods transform into canvases of light, with homes adorned in glittering bulbs that tell stories of joy and community. The holiday cheer is palpable, with events and shopping sprees echoing the merry bustle of the season.
A recent survey of 3,000 families, sought to quantify this joy in hours and ranked the favorite festive activities. Florida families averaged 11 hours and 9 minutes together embracing holiday activities, while Rhode Island and Wisconsin's families topped the list at 14 hours of shared merriment.
Here’s what activities Floridians most cherish with family, ranked from the top:
Holiday movie marathons (“A Christmas Story” runs non-stop starting Christmas Eve!); Viewing Christmas lights; Baking cookies; Ice skating (where they can keep ice); Hosting or attending parties; Choosing and trimming a Christmas tree; Attending religious services; Attending markets and shopping; and volunteering.
However, above any specific activities, 90% of respondents agreed that just spending time with family is the best thing about the festive period.
And … we’ve been at this for a while. The survey also pinpointed Nov. 3 as the day when the average person's anticipation for the holiday festivities began to bloom.
Information provided by Cherry Digital Content
