- Holiday movie marathons is the most cherished activity among families.
- 9 in 10 say that just spending time with family is the best thing about the festive period.
As the winter chill sets in, the holiday season warms the hearts with an eclectic mix of activities that bring to life the festive spirit. This is a time for cultural convergence, where 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.
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 by Gunther Volkswagen Daytona Beach, encompassing 3,000 families, sought to quantify this joy in hours and ranked the favorite festive activities. Georgia families averaged 10 hours and 33 minutes together embracing holiday activities, while Rhode Island and Wisconsin’s families topped the list at 14 hours of shared merriment.
Interactive map showing how much time families in each state spend together on festive activities over the holiday period (click on ’embed’ to host on your site)
Here’s what families in Georgia cherish most by spending time together:
#1 Holiday movie marathons
#2 Viewing Christmas lights
#3 Baking cookies
#4 Ice skating
#5 Hosting or attending parties
#6 Choosing and collecting a Christmas tree
#7 Attending religious services
#8 Attending markets
#9 Volunteering
However, above any specific activities, 90% of respondents agreed that just spending time with family is the best thing about the festive period.
The survey also pinpointed November 3rd as the day when the average person’s anticipation for the holiday festivities began to bloom.
“In the variety of the holiday season, each thread – from the twinkling lights to the shared warmth of a kitchen filled with baking aromas – represents a cherished moment with loved ones,” explains Joseph Gunther IV of Gunther Volkswagen Daytona Beach. “Our survey reveals not just how families spend their time, but also the cherished rituals that define the festive season for them. It’s these traditions that fuel the anticipation and joy that build up long before December’s celebrations”.
