2025’s Best Cities for Christmas – WalletHub Study

Photo by Freek Wolsink

With spending over the winter holidays projected to reach over $1 trillion this year, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best Places for Christmas Celebrations to help consumers find the best cities to maximize their enjoyment with a minimal budget.

Key Stats

• Miami, Florida, has the most Christmas tree farms per capita – 23.4 times more than in El Paso, Texas, the city with the fewest.
• Orlando, Florida, has the most gift shops per capita – 14.7 times more than in Garland, Texas, the city with the fewest.
• Las Vegas, Nevada, has the most toy stores per capita – 25.6 times more than in Newark, New Jersey, the city with the fewest.
• San Francisco, California, has the most food banks per capita – 19.1 times more than in Corpus Christi, Texas, the city with the fewest.

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-for-christmas/41924

“With inflation making Christmas celebrations, gifts, food and travel more expensive, certain cities are much better for your wallet than others during the holiday. In addition to being affordable, the best cities have a large number of people celebrating, plenty of places for Christians to worship, populations who give generously to charity, and plenty of fun activities to enjoy with family and friends.”
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“Atlanta is the best city for Christmas celebrations this year, with plenty of stores to help you prepare for the holiday, including an extremely high number of bakeries, holiday decoration shops and card shops per capita. It has the 10th-most Christmas tree farms per capita, too. Atlanta is also one of the best cities when it comes to the prevalence of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars, if you want to eat out for the holiday (or want a break from cooking afterward). In addition, Atlanta has the ninth-highest percentage of people who donate clothing to charity, along with the 13th-most online donations per capita.”

– Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Expert Commentary

What tips do you have for celebrating Christmas on a budget?

“Start by remembering that the most meaningful parts of the holiday season don’t have to cost much. It’s about spending quality time and reconnecting with our loved ones. Hosting a cozy gathering with homemade treats, taking a neighborhood walk to see holiday lights, or creating hand-written cards and crafts can all spark genuine joy and deepen connection. These simple moments nurture not only positive relationships with others, but also self-acceptance – the comforting realization that we don’t have to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ or live up to curated holiday expectations. In addition, instead of focusing on expensive gifts, consider giving the gift of time, thoughtfulness, or creativity. A shared experience – like baking cookies with a child, playing board games with grandparents, or making DIY ornaments – can be far more memorable than anything bought off a shelf. In fact, budget-conscious celebrations often turn out to be the most heartfelt ones, reminding us that happiness and wellbeing are not measured by price tags, but by presence, intention, and connection.”
Wan Yang, Ph.D. – Professor, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

“Celebrating on a budget requires shifting your focus from consumption to connection. One effective strategy is to implement the four-gift rule for family members, which limits purchases to something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. You can also host a potluck dinner instead of funding the entire meal yourself, which can help reduce grocery costs. It is crucial to establish a strict spending limit before you begin shopping. Shoppers who stick to their budget are definitely on the Nice list this year, while those who ignore their budget might find themselves on the Naughty list!”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University

What are some of the biggest Christmas money-wasters?

“One of the most overlooked money-wasters is trying to recreate a ‘perfect’ holiday based on social media ideals, rather than embracing what feels authentic and joyful in our own life. Letting go of that comparison mindset can free up not just our budget, but also our emotional space. True holiday wellbeing comes from embracing imperfection and aligning our celebrations with our own lifestyle and values – not a filtered rosy persona. Another common trap is overbuying during seasonal sales and promotions. The holiday season is filled with ‘limited-time offers’ and ‘doorbuster deals,’ which can create a sense of urgency and fear of missing out. But discounted doesn’t always mean needed. Many people end up buying items they wouldn’t have considered otherwise. A more mindful approach is to pause and ask: Would I still buy this if it weren’t on sale? By aligning purchases with real needs and thoughtful intentions, we can avoid holiday impulsive spending and stay focused on what actually brings meaning to the season.”
Wan Yang, Ph.D. – Professor, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

“The most significant drain on holiday budgets is purchasing items that recipients do not use. Research shows that billions of dollars are wasted annually on gifts that are simply discarded or returned… Waiting until the last minute often forces shoppers to pay high premiums for express delivery… While shopping for others, it is easy to fall into the trap of buying for yourself. Retailers design store layouts to encourage these impulse buys, which can inflate your total spend by 20 percent or more… Buying cheap and trendy decor that lasts only one season is a recurring waste of money. Investing in quality, reusable items saves significant amounts of money over time.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University

What money-saving tips do you have for people who plan to travel for Christmas?

“Planning and flexibility can make a big difference. If possible, adjust your travel dates to avoid peak pricing days, and consider flying on the holiday itself – it’s often less expensive and less crowded. Use price-tracking tools and set alerts well in advance to avoid the stress and cost of last-minute bookings. That said, saving money on holiday travel isn’t just about timing – it’s also about shifting our mindset. Rather than treating travel as a checklist of expensive activities, think of it as an opportunity to slow down and connect more deeply with people, with places, and with ourselves. When approached mindfully, even a short, simple trip that doesn’t cost much can bring meaning and joy to the season.”
Wan Yang, Ph.D. – Professor, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

“Consider other cities that are not recognized as Christmas destinations, purchase travel tickets at least three months before travel time. The less expensive tickets will sell first. Finally, stay away from popular skiing destinations, and cities with theme parks.”
Rosa Abreu-Runkel – Associate Professor, City Tech, CUNY

More From WalletHub

• Best Winter Holiday Destinations
• Most Charitable States
• Most Caring Cities in America
• Most Fun Cities in America