Festive Spirit: America’s Favorite Christmas Decorations Revealed

• Mistletoe is the most popular Christmas decoration, with an average of over 586,800     monthly searches. 
• Nutcrackers were the second most searched-for item, with an average of 502,600 Google searches in the festive season.
• Also popular were nativity scenes, garlands and Christmas wreaths. 

The study, conducted by home warranty experts Cinch Home Services, looked at US Google searches between October and December 2023, to see what decorations will be trending this year. A seed list of 37 decorations was compiled, and only optional, non-universal, decorations were included (e.g excluding ‘Christmas trees’ and non-specific decorations such as ‘baubles’ and ‘tree toppers’) in the final ranking.  

Top 15 seasonal decorations: 

The study revealed mistletoe is the number one decoration people are searching for in the US. Between October and December last year, searches averaged 586,800. Mistletoe is a top staple for many, and adds that festive touch. 

Coming in second place is nutcrackers, with an average of 502,600 searches per month. These iconic wooden figures, often resembling soldiers or kings, are a favorite among collectors and festive decorators and originated in Germany in the 17th century. 

In third place is the nativity scene, averaging 474,200 monthly searches. This timeless decoration is a meaningful addition to many homes, symbolizing the Christmas story and tradition. In recent years, minimalist versions of the story- with no faces- have gone viral on social media, though the first nativity scene is reported to have been in 1223 by Saint Francis of Assisi.  

Garlands rank fourth, with an average of 446,700 monthly searches. Versatile and elegant, garlands are a go-to decoration for adorning mantels, staircases, and doorways during the holiday season. Previously, the winter solstice was often celebrated with evergreen branches, leading to the tradition of garlands which we have today.  

Fifth place goes to Christmas wreaths, which saw 282,000 monthly searches. According to TIME magazine, wreaths began being made in the 16th century, when people didn’t want the trimmings from the tree – which proved a dangerous feat – to be wasted and so made wreaths with the leftover bits. These classic door decorations continue to be a staple, a true symbol of festive spirit. 

In sixth place, inflatable Christmas decorations garnered 254,300 searches per month. These large, eye-catching yard displays bring fun and whimsy to outdoor holiday decor. 

Seventh on the list are snow globes, with an average monthly search volume of 187,500. These charming keepsakes are perfect for evoking a sense of nostalgia and magic during the holidays. The first snow globes are attributed to the late 19th century. 

Eighth place is held by holly, which saw 135,100 searches each month. Holly has a rich tie in with Christianity, with it representing the thorns of Christ’s crown at his crucifixion and now serves as a festive symbol during this period. 

Ranking ninth are Christmas candles, averaging 95,400 searches. These decorative and aromatic additions help create a cozy and warm atmosphere during the festive season. 

Finally, Christmas bows and ribbons complete the top ten with 89,900 average monthly searches. These versatile decorations are perfect for wrapping gifts, adorning wreaths, or adding a festive touch to tree ornaments. 

Commenting on festive decorations, a spokesperson from Cinch Home Services said, 

“After any stresses of the previous 11 months, many people feel an urge to go all out with their Christmas decorations. Festive staples like lights and trees bring a sense of joy and tradition to those households celebrating the season. 

“Christmas trees are essential, and this year 46% of respondents to a survey by Statista said they planned to use an artificial Christmas tree, compared to 26% who said they would opt for a real tree. Regardless of what kind of tree you get, you can always decorate your house with additional ornamentation that deepens the festive spirit and makes this time of year so much more exciting. 

“The winter months are often dark and gloomy for many, so adding some greenery and festive decor to your home is a simple, yet effective, way to lift spirits as we see out the end of the year.” 

Methodology: 

1. A  seed list of 37 Christmas decorations was compiled and assessed on Google  Keyword Planner for average monthly search volumes between October and December 2023. 
2. Out of the 37, the top 15 that were non-universal Christmas decorations were included in the final results. This was to ensure results weren’t skewed  by decorations everyone who celebrates is likely to have such as Christmas  trees, Christmas advent calendars and Christmas lights. Additionally, general tree decorations and furnishings (i.e ‘tree skirting,’ ‘baubles,’  ‘tree topper’) were excluded. 
3. Results were then ranked based on the highest average monthly search volume  (across October to December 2023) during the period assessed.  

Staff Writer

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