How Holly Jolly Is Virginia's Christmas Spirit?

Virginia is full of Christmas spirit, as recognized in a new report published by GetCenturyLink. The authors said they did some pretty “intense data-combing” to evaluate the states with the most and least Christmas spirit.

The Commonwealth ranks ninth in the country, the authors found. The analysis — if you can really call it that — was based on comparing data in two categories: online activity and area culture.

Online activity was based on several metrics including Google searches for Christmas movies and gingerbread houses, shopping trends (like wrapping paper, cards, ornaments and “Elf on a Shelf”) and Christmas music streaming. Area culture, meanwhile, was based on the number of Christmas tree farms per capita and charitable giving.

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The jolliest folks apparently live in Washington state, though the authors noted the state ranked first despite performing below average on three metrics: Christmas movies, wrapping paper and “Elf on the Shelf.”

“Some states — Washington, South Dakota, and Utah — go all-out to rock around the Christmas tree and jingle all the way,” the authors wrote.

Here are the 10 states with the most Christmas spirit:

1. Washington
2. South Dakota
3. Utah
4. Missouri
5. Maine
6. Tennessee
7. Alabama
8. Arkansas
9. Virginia
10. North Carolina

Meanwhile, the Grinch might consider moving from snowy Mount Crumpit to Alaska, which ranked dead last on the list.

“Alaska may be the coldest and snowiest state, but it ranks below average in every category except one: the state ranks #3 for ‘gingerbread house’ searches,” the authors wrote.

Should the Grinch seek warmer climates, he may spring for Hawaii or Florida. The duo rounded out the bottom three in Christmas spirit, followed by New Jersey and Michigan.

Among the other interesting findings:

• Several popular Christmas movies were filmed in Utah, including the 2000 live-action film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring actor and comedian Jim Carrey.
• Ohio is home to the Christmas Story museum and the movie was filmed in Cleveland.
• All but four of the bottom ten states are sunny, warm and dry all year.

CenturyLink is an internet service providers that serves residents and businesses.

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Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch