The holiday season is here and homeowners across the country are preparing to fill their homes with familiar festive touches. From hanging garlands and lights to setting up the Christmas tree, holiday décor remains a tradition that brings warmth, nostalgia, and joy to households every winter. But which states take decorating the most seriously, and what kinds of decorations are topping their lists this year?
At Lombardo Homes, we know the holidays are a time when memories are made. For the fifth year in a row, we analyzed Google Trends data to determine which states decorate the most for Christmas and the most popular types of holiday décor in each state. We also surveyed more than 1,000 Americans to learn about their decorating habits, spending, and traditions for the 2025 season.
This year, there appears to be a trade war on Christmas. Rising prices, tariffs, and economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on people’s minds, and it’s affecting how festive they feel.
Our survey found that 39% of Americans say they’re not in the Christmas spirit this year, and for many, the economy is a big reason why. Nearly half of respondents (49%) say they will spend less on décor because of inflation and tariffs, whether that’s buying less or simply using what they have. Not only that, but 1 in 4 are rolling back not just on decor, but gifts as well: Santa’s on a diet this year.
For some households, the impact goes beyond a few ornaments or strings of lights. Twenty-one percent of Americans say they can’t afford to carry on family traditions this year;. However, when those traditions are out of reach, people get creative.
The top ways Americans are making the holidays more affordable this year:
Those financial pressures are colliding with supply concerns, too.: 26% of Americans say they’ve noticed fewer Christmas trees and holiday décor available in stores this year, a possible side effect of a cooler economy or tariff-related difficulty with imports. In fact,15% are worried about décor shortages caused by tariffs, adding another layer of uncertainty to their holiday planning.
In the face of these challenges, Americans are adapting their decorating strategies. The most common response is to reuse décor they already own, making the most of collections built up over years.
Another 10% say they’re decorating less overall, while 3% buy décor in bulk when they find it, hoping to stock up before prices climb again.
While the economy might be chilly, the Christmas spirit is still warming most hearts. Eighty-eight percent of Americans are decorating for Christmas or the holidays this year, showing that people are still eager to bring seasonal cheer into their homes, even on a budget.
When it comes to timing, the classic debate of “how early is too early?” continues. Here’s a breakdown of when Americans start decorating:
Decorating takes both time and money. On average, Americans spend about 4 hours decorating for Christmas, from setting up trees and arranging mantel displays to hanging outdoor lights. They also spend an average of $148 on Christmas or holiday decorations this year.
Compared to last year, 15% say they’re spending more, half (50%) are spending about the same, and 35% are spending less on decorations, echoing the broader financial caution many people are feeling.
Christmas trees remain at the heart of many holiday decorating traditions, with 84% of Americans decorating a tree this year, whether real or artificial.
The majority lean toward convenience and longevity: 69% will have an artificial or fake tree, while 15% will have a real tree, and 16% say they won’t have a tree at all.
On average, Americans are willing to spend up to $118 on a Christmas tree, making it one of the bigger single décor investments of the season.
Rising tree prices are playing into the shift toward artificial options. Many people say they have switched to fake trees because of higher tree prices, the desire for something more sustainable, and easier maintenance.
Among those with artificial trees, the top reasons for choosing a fake tree are that it is more sustainable and lasts for many years (29%), followed closely by ease of maintenance (28%), since there’s no watering or needle cleanup. A smaller, but notable share (5%) says they’re choosing artificial trees because real Christmas trees are simply too expensive this year.
When Do Americans Take Down Decorations?
Despite financial pressure and shifting habits, Americans are still decorating to feel good.
Top reasons why Americans decorate:
Among those who are skipping the décor, the most common explanations align with the broader economic narrative. The top reasons some Americans aren’t decorating this year include focusing on other priorities, not feeling in the holiday spirit, and finding that it’s too expensive this year to justify the cost of decorations.
For state-level data, we analyzed Google search terms related to Christmas decorations. We looked at search volume per capita over the past 12 months.
This year, snowy, pastoral Vermont once again claims the title of the most festive state in America, with the Christmas tree standing strong as its top decoration. North Dakota follows in second place, also favoring the tree as its décor of choice. Rounding out the top five are Delaware (Santa), Rhode Island (angel), and Wyoming (Santa).
Many New England and Mid-Atlantic states continue to embrace classic traditions like window candles, a favorite in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, or wreaths and garland, which top the list in Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, and Indiana. States across the South and West show a strong affinity for mistletoe, including Utah, Virginia, South Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, and California.
Snow-themed décor is especially popular in states familiar with cold winters. West Virginia, Montana, South Dakota, Alaska, and Kansas all list the snowman as their top decoration. Meanwhile, several states lean into nostalgic, cozy styles: Maryland, Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan all favor gingerbread, while Kentucky and Hawaii prefer ornaments.
Nativity scenes remain especially beloved across parts of the South and Midwest. Nebraska, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi all rank the nativity as their top Christmas decoration. Even states lower on the ranking, such as New York, California, and Oklahoma, still show strong enthusiasm for Christmas lights, even if their overall décor intensity is more minimal.
So, what are America’s favorite holiday decorations this year? Americans continue to embrace tradition: the Christmas tree remains the nation’s top choice for 2025, followed closely by other classic and sentimental holiday symbols that continue to define the season.
Top 10 Christmas Decorations in 2025:
These top decorations show that Americans still lean toward a mix of timeless holiday staples and traditional décor, from the glow of lights and garland to cheerful winter icons. Whether families favor simple greenery or more elaborate displays, these festive touches remain at the heart of how people celebrate the season.
2021 Holiday Decoration Report
2022 Holiday Decoration Report
2023 Holiday Decoration Report
In November 2025, we analyzed Google search terms related to Christmas decorations from October 2024-November 2025 to complete this study. For state-level data, we looked at search volume per capita over the past 12 months.
In the same time period, we also surveyed over 1,000 Americans to get their feedback on decorating for Christmas and typical holiday decorations. Respondents were 49% female, 49% male, and 2% nonbinary, with an age range of 18 to 77 and an average age of 43 years old.
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