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Joel Katz

New Jersey Number 1 on This Holiday Shopping Study

Author Joel Katz
Amazon Delivery Station and Amazon Fulfillment Center on June 24, 2022 in Burbank, California.

Here in New Jersey, the holiday shopping is in full swing. Hanukah begins this weekend and Christmas is less than three weeks away. It looks like we’re ready more than any other state.

Data from a new study, conducted by The Lazy Trader, reveals the states most likely to spend the most money online this year.

New Jersey Tops the List  

The state most likely to shop online this holiday season is New Jersey. Over the last four years in December, New Jersey has been searching for gift-related terms an average of 1,688 times per 100,000 people. “Christmas gift ideas” is the most searched-for term in our state, with 3,764 average monthly searches in total from residents. 

Massachusetts takes the silver medal. In the state, there were 1,633 average monthly searches for gift-related ideas per 100,000 people over the last four Decembers. Behind “Christmas gift ideas,” “Christmas stockings” is the most searched-for term, with a total of 2,647 average monthly searches.

New York is the third state most likely to overspend this Christmas. In the last four Decembers, there were 1,591 average monthly searches for gift-related terms per 100,000 people. The Empire State’s second most popular term is “Christmas gift,” with 7,275 average monthly searches behind “Christmas gift ideas” and ahead of “Christmas stockings.”

In fourth place is Connecticut, with 1,538 average monthly searches for gift-related ideas per 100,000 people according to data collected. “Christmas gift for mom” is the fourth most searched-for term, with 974 average monthly searches in total.   

Virginia is the fifth state most likely to overspend this Christmas. In Virginia, there are 1,492 average monthly searches for gift-related terms per 100,000 people over the last four Decembers. “Secret Santa” is the fifth most popular term, with 1,817 average monthly searches in total.       

Pennsylvania ranks eighth with 1,437 average monthly searches per 100,000 people.

If this study is any indication, we’ll be spending more than ever this holiday season.


4 Great Christmas Dinner Options For The Whole Family

Now that the Thanksgiving meal is behind us and we are all still feeling more than stuffed, it’s time we shift our focus. To more food! Here, we’ll cut into four great dinner options to feed the whole family at Christmas dinner.

Yes, Thanksgiving requires a lot of hours in the kitchen. Prepping a turkey, maybe even frying one, takes some proper attention. Then, to some, the most important part is the sides that go with the main attraction. Again, making these side dishes means cooking up a storm. However, perhaps we underappreciate the art of this meal. For the most part, the menu is designed for us. Furthermore, it is consistent every year. All you have to decide is how much to make based around how many people will be gathered around your table.

Fast forward a month, and it’s time to prepare another epic holiday meal. In addition to running around to grab last-minute gifts, if you are hosting a Christmas get-together you have to do a lot of preparing, again.

The Magic of Christmas Cooking

Here, we are going to break down some options to jump-start your Christmas prep. First, let’s set the table on some criteria, and some bust some myths. You certainly do not need to reinvent the wheel and cook up something extraordinarily unique. In fact, it’s best to keep it simple. Dozens of classic dishes have already been well-established as delicious to satisfy your family, friends, and guests.

The thought process in suggesting these four Christmas dinner options is that they are proven to be delightful. They can also be prepared in large batches that do not require a tremendous amount of hours in the kitchen. These meals are family-friendly and are sharable. Some of them you may even be able to combine together. Again, this list won’t spark an idea that’s never been cooked up. Perhaps it just serves as a simple reminder that these Christmas dinner menu items can be straightforward and delicious enough.

  • Lasagna

    A large tray of a baked pasta based meal that everyone gets to cut into just feels like a natural option. There’s room here to customize your tray of course. Add meat, make it a veggie, or have one of each. Plus, the red sauce nicely compliments your holiday-themed table setting.

    Lasagna with ricotta cheese, ground beef, mushrooms, and tomato sauce in baking dish with cake shovel, landscape view

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Filet Mignon

    We’ll need to clarify here, your best bet here is a log shaped filet that can be evenly cut into quarter inch – to half inch slices. There’s something festive to carving a meal item in your kitchen, that is freshly cooked. You take pride in hosting and then slicing. You place your sliced filet on that serving platter that is used just once a year, walk it into the dining room and then feel joy when everyone digs in.

    Sliced grilled tenderloin Steak roastbeef on wooden cutting board and Red wine on dark background

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Vegetarian Chili Bar

    It’s all about the slow-cooker or crock pot. You can let it warm in the kitchen all day, allowing a sharp aroma to seep into every room the family gathers in. This style is for more of the grab something quick and on-the-go Christmas meal gathering. Perhaps you have people in and out of your house, stopping by for a “cheers” throughout the day. A chili bar never disappoints. Add in your side bowls of shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps, scallions, and sour cream, and you are giving your guests the opportunity to put their own touch on your creation.

    Homemade Organic Vegetarian Chili with Beans and Cheese

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Baked Ham

    This is the meal that gives you the option for a fancier sit-down dinner. The ham centerpiece is typically joined by elegant wine glasses and pre-feast toast. Throw some potato side dishes along with an asparagus or string bean casserole, and your living room is now a fine-dining restaurant. This meal allows you to take your time. The next thing you know, it’s dark outside, and you are putting a bow on your enjoyable Christmas night.

    Traditional glazed holiday ham on the wooden background

    Igor Jovanovic / Getty Images


Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

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