Utah Skips WalletHub’s Christmas Ranking But Keeps The Cheer

Every December, Americans dream of snow-covered streets, glowing lights and a general sense that even the most stubborn Grinch might briefly consider smiling. Enter WalletHub’s annual “Best Places for Christmas” ranking, which confidently declares that the most festive cities in the country include Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando and Las Vegas. Yes, Las Vegas — a city best known for blinking neon signs that scream “open 24 hours” — apparently out-Christmases the entire state of Utah. According to the list, not a single Utah city made the top 100. Not one.

WalletHub based its rankings on a long list of metrics, including traditions, generosity (they do know how much Utah spends on charitable contributions, right?), shopping options and holiday events. Presumably these were measured using a complex formula involving spreadsheets, algorithms and possibly eggnog-related judgment calls. However, the results raise a perfectly reasonable question: how does Utah, a state that basically treats Christmas decorating as a competitive sport, not place a single city on the list?

Temple Square Really Lights Up For Christmas

Take Salt Lake City, for example. Temple Square alone transforms into a glowing winter spectacle each holiday season, with lights so plentiful they could probably be seen from space. (O.K. I made have made that fact up, but it wouldn't surprise me.) Families stroll through bundled in coats, sipping hot chocolate and marveling at displays that feel like something out of a Christmas card — the kind that costs extra postage because it’s too cheerful. Somehow, this doesn’t register as Christmas-worthy.

Obviously, some 10,000 people turning out in sub freezing temperatures to see the Christmas lights being turned on in a smaller place like Cedar City isn't enough to impress the WalletHub Grinches.

Meanwhile, cities with minimal snowfall and palm trees appear higher on the list, suggesting that Christmas spirit may now be defined as “access to gift shops” rather than “actual winter ambiance.” One imagines Santa reading this ranking, pausing mid-cookie, and quietly wondering if his sleigh has been rerouted without his knowledge.

Read More: How One Cedar City Resident Decorates To Make A Wish

Even San Bernardino made the list. Now I grew up in the San Bernardino area, and while I have some pleasant memories, I wouldn't call the capitol of Christmas Spirit. As I recall there wasn't enough Christmas spirit there to move Santa's Sleigh even an inch (If you get the reference to the movie Elf).

To be fair, Utahns don’t decorate for rankings. They decorate because December demands it, and because someone down the street has already put up lights, forcing everyone else to respond accordingly. Still, being left off the list entirely feels less like an oversight and more like a seasonal snub.

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So while WalletHub crowns its Christmas champions, Utah will continue doing what it does best: lighting up the night, ignoring the rankings, and quietly shaking its head — preferably under a strand of blinking lights.