Are Delaware families a Scrooge or Care Bear with the holiday time they spend together?

Whether it’s decorating the tree, watching a Marvel movie, or baking Christmas cookies — there’s lots of cute ways to spend time with your family this holiday season. 

But how much time do Delaware families spend together over the holidays compared with other states?  

A recent survey by Gunther Volkswagen Daytona Beach answered that question and revealed First State families might have a little bit of Scrooge in their hearts.  

The Small Wonder ranks better than only eight other states (Wyoming, Alabama, Alaska, Oregon, Montana, Kansas, Hawaii, Maine) based on this survey of 3,000 respondents conducted earlier this month.  

In the survey, Delaware families spend an average of 8 hours and 51 minutes together enjoying holiday activities. For comparison, Vermont families are at the top of the list and spend 15 hours and 36 minutes together during this season.

To help some Delaware families avoid a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past this season, here are fun holiday activities you can do together in the First State. 

What Christmas movies are streaming? 

During the week before Christmas have you ever watched a holiday-themed film each night before the big holiday? You can change that this year!

Here are 23 Christmas movies to stream including classics like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000),” “Frozen” and “Bad Santa”:   

How to stream these Christmas films: ‘Elf,’ ‘Almost Christmas,’ ‘Christmas with the Kranks,’ and more

Which Delaware restaurants are open on Christmas? 

Not having to cook on Christmas is an underrated gift; and we know plenty of eateries that stay open on the holidays in the First State. Just remember to avoid loading up on cookies that morning. Meanwhile, here’s where you can eat out with your loved ones:     

Don’t feel like cooking? These Delaware restaurants are open on Christmas Day

What holiday concerts and shows are in Delaware? 

The year is almost over. But there’s still festive concerts and theater events left for you to enjoy in Delaware.  Here are some colorful First State events that you can paint the town red and green with this winter:

Fun holiday shows to enjoy in Delaware: Christmas concerts and theater productions

Where are the holiday house tours in Delaware?

Holiday tours at Winterthur and Hagley Museum are a tradition.  

Winterthur’s holiday style this season is inspired by its exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier. This year’s Yuletide Tour features custom fashion by local designers Shawn Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks, whose creations reflect the history of Winterthur and the design sensibilities of Henry Francis du Pont and Ann Lowe. 

Meanwhile, the theme this year at Hagley is “Treasures and Traditions.” Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home built in America, will be dressed for the holidays and illuminated with softly glowing lights. 

Here’s what you need to know about both tours:   

Celebrate the season: With a holiday house tour in Delaware

Christmas pop-ups for drinks

Limited-time-only bars have opened in recent weeks, marked by sweet concoctions, over-the-top decorations and plenty of spots for the coveted holiday selfie. 

From Wilmington to the beaches, you can get into a festive spirit with like-minded revelers looking to get a jump-start on the season. If Santa Claus can drink sherry to warm up, why can’t you festively partake? It’s time to get jolly at these Delaware pop-ups:

Bartenders are slingin’ sweet drinks: At these Christmas pop-ups

Delaware New Year’s Eve 2024  

Where will you take your last photo of 2023 in Delaware? It’s not too late to start making plans for that. 

The Small Wonder offers a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations for adults and kids, including some that allow children to ring in 2024, hours before midnight 

Here are fun ways to end the year in a bang:

Delaware New Year’s Eve 2024: Everything from a costume ball for furry lovers to a keg drop

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.