With Christmas just over a week away, the holiday season is gaining momentum as 2024 approaches its end and 2025 awaits on the horizon. This period not only brings festive cheer but also prompts families to finalize their celebrations, from shopping for gifts to planning special dinners. A recent study sheds light on how Americans are embracing holiday classics, reveals the UK's favorite Christmas dinner trimmings, and highlights useful apps to streamline holiday preparations.
According to PlayPennsylvania.com, which conducted comprehensive research analyzing search volume data through Google Keyword Planner, "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, is America's most Googled Christmas movie, boasting an impressive average of 275,589 monthly searches. Following closely is the timeless classic "It’s A Wonderful Life," which celebrated its 78th anniversary just days ago, with 213,701 searches, demonstrating its continuous relevance during the festive season. Tristan Kay, Head of Casino at PlayPennsylvania.com, stated, "Analyzing the Google search volume of Christmas movies gives a unique insight to their popularity across America all year round."
The top ten most Googled Christmas movies reflect both newer titles and cherished classics, indicating Americans’ penchant for nostalgia during the holiday season. The rankings are as follows:
- Elf (275,589) - Available on Disney+, Hulu, Philo, Max, and Roku Channel.
- It's A Wonderful Life (213,701) - Streaming on Plex, FreeVee, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (182,374) - Watch it on Disney+, Hulu, Philo, Max, and Roku Channel.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (142,456) - Available on Disney+.
- Bad Santa (133,278) - Stream on Paramount+ and Roku Channel.
- Four Christmases (107,346) - On Disney+, Hulu, Philo, Max, and Roku Channel.
- Jingle All the Way (103,445) - Streaming on DIRECTV, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (97,229) - Available on DIRECTV and Fubo.
- Grumpy Old Men (91,474) - Watch it on Kanopy.
- The Family Stone (90,360) - Available on DIRECTV, Fubo, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, and Tubi.
This research not only highlights which movies get the most love but also gives recommendations on where to watch them for families settling down for festive movie marathons.
Meanwhile, across the pond, families in the UK are finalizing their menus for Christmas dinner, and according to Nick Drewe from Wethrift, interesting trends are taking shape. Analyzing search volume data reveals the top ten Christmas dinner trimmings, showcasing changing tastes, particularly among younger families.
Surprisingly topping the list is cauliflower cheese, which has garnered 78,100 monthly searches, prompting debates about its place in traditional festive cuisine. Following closely behind is the classic roast potato, celebrated for crispy perfection, amassing 67,950 searches. Mac and cheese made its appearance with over 66,070 monthly searches, reflecting the growing fondness for inclusive, overly comforting side dishes.
The top ten Christmas trimmings reflect overall preferences:
- Cauliflower Cheese - 78,100 searches
- Roast Potatoes - 67,950 searches
- Mac and Cheese - 66,070 searches
- Red Cabbage - 43,270 searches
- Dauphinoise Potatoes - 42,700 searches
- Bread Sauce - 24,730 searches
- Brussels Sprouts - 24,600 searches
- Roast Parsnips - 23,800 searches
- Pigs in Blankets - 20,940 searches
- Cranberry Sauce - 20,240 searches
These trends highlight how the festive season continues to evolve, combining cherished traditions with modern preferences and inclusivity.
To navigate the holiday season effectively, tech-savvy individuals are turning to mobile applications to streamline their preparations. With the latest technology at hand, thanks to smartphones, holiday planning has never been easier. From managing shopping lists and organizing events to tracking holiday recipes, there are multiple applications available to alleviate the stress of the season.
Here are some recommended apps to keep your holiday preparations efficient:
- Pixel Bookmarks: Organizes online resources for recipes, decorations, and gift ideas.
- Weathernaut: Provides real-time weather updates for outdoor celebrations.
- TimeWise: Helps manage event timelines with customizable countdowns and reminders.
- Claude: This AI-driven chatbot assists with planning and idea generation.
- Voice Notes: Transcribes voice recordings to help preserve important ideas.
- Volume Lock: Keeps your mobile device's volume consistent during holiday gatherings.
Adopting these streamlined approaches ensures less hassle and more joyous festive gatherings, allowing families to focus on what truly matters – creating lasting memories together.
With changing traditions and the integration of technology, this holiday season offers many exciting opportunities for joy and connection. Whether through streaming beloved films, preparing delicious meals, or using apps to organize the chaos, families are gearing up for what promises to be another unforgettable holiday celebration.