Who’s Being Good This Christmas? Nationwide Holiday Behavior Ranked

'Tis the season! We all love the holidays, right?

But are Iowans on the "nice list" this year? We should be, right? We're the home of "Iowa Nice" after all!

Did Iowans Make the Naughty or Nice List in 2025?

As the holidays roll around, a new 2025 survey from Sera Capital puts Illinois, Kentucky, and several other states under the spotlight, ranking all 50 states on holiday generosity, shopping habits, tipping, volunteering, and festive behavior.

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The “Naughty & Nice States Holiday Study” asked more than 2,200 Americans across 46 states about their holiday habits.

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Respondents answered questions about donations, volunteer hours, gift spending, tipping, timing of holiday shopping, participation in drives, gift returns or re-gifting, and other traditions.

The top five “nicest” states this season are:

• Kentucky — 76.04 out of 100

• Utah — 67.08

• Nebraska — 63.91

• Montana — 63.86

• Texas — 63.25

On the flip side, the five states scoring lowest, the study’s “naughtiest”, include:

• Hawaii — 28.66

• Arkansas — 31.54

• South Dakota — 33.88

• Arizona — 35.92

• Georgia — 39.02

So, where does Iowa land? While not in the top five nicest list, the state sits near the middle, among those with balanced holiday habits.

What Does Our Ranking Mean?

That middle-of-the-pack ranking might mean many Iowans mix traditional holiday giving with everyday practicality.

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The survey highlights a nationwide truth: holiday spirit isn’t just about shopping or decorations, it’s showing up in generosity, volunteerism, kindness, and how we treat each other during the season.

For us folks across Iowa, that might mean donating to a local charity, tipping well at holiday meals, volunteering time at food drives, or simply getting shopping done early.

I don't think Iowa is full of Grinches, do you?

You can see the full rankings in a graphic from Sera Capital here.

Do you agree that these Iowa cities made the naughty list this year?