How Much Does Mariah Carey Make From ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’?

We all know Mariah Carey has taken the reigns as the queen of Christmas. Her hit, All I Want for Christmas Is You, is the one Christmas song that consistently breaks the chart every holiday season. It's become so known, that she makes sure to post after Halloween her annual "It's Time" video. But, how much does this one song really influence the holiday season and her pockets?

Recently, I have really dug into the idea that this one song can generate so much buzz for her every year like clock work. Don't get me wrong, we all know Carey has a catalog of hits that transcend the last few decades. But, this one Christmas song seems to be the talk of the holiday season every year. So, what does it really do for her?

U.S. Weekly did a report on how much the singer actually makes every year from the song. According to reports, Carey made about $60 million in royalties between its 1994 release and 2017. This comes out to a total of nearly $2.6 million a year. Although these calculations were done up until 2017, the economist suggests that the revenue continues as her royalties are generated heavily during the holiday season with the song.

The song continues to break records and is also the first holiday song to earn the Diamond Award for reaching 10 million sales and streams. Carey has two variations of a music video on her YouTube channel and each one has generated over 600 million views. With the most recent one only being 4 years ago.

“The crazy thing about it is, every year it tends to increase in popularity,” Carey said to Billboard during an interview in 2017. “I’m very thankful that people seem to still have an attachment to it. It makes me feel good when people tell me that it’s part of their lives.”

If you think about it, not only do we hear the song on radio stations, but it's also played at nearly every holiday event in any city, on television shows, in commercials, in shopping malls, it's everywhere during the holiday season! So, have you given the song a listen yet, or waiting until December?

There is just something magical about traveling during the holidays. So many cities around the world are transformed around Christmas. I just returned from 4 days in New York City, which is probably the first destination that comes to mind when you think of traveling to a Christmassy destination. And while highlights such as the tree in Rockefeller Center, Christmas window displays, and stage shows like the Rockettes. But while not on as grand a scale, many other cities are full of Christmas charm. I've been told Walt Disney World and Orlando at Christmas (though incredibly crowded) is a wonderful experience. I've also had the opportunity to travel to places like Williamsburg, VA, St. Augustine, Fl, and Nashville, TN around the Christmas season. Even here in Charlotte, there are some incredible lights and festive events to experience.

So when I was sent a study by Cloudwards.net about the places each state most desires to travel for Christmas I was intrigued. My mind immediately went to New York as being the most popular destination. Based on the number of people I experienced in NYC this weekend I can't imagine it's anywhere else. I truly have never seen that city as crowded as it was. And if you've ever been to New York, you know it's ALWAYS crowded. This was almost to the point where you couldn't move in multiple places. I even made the joke that they should not allow any more hotels to be opened. The city is full!

But spoiler alert, NC's top domestic destination for the holidays wasn't New York. It wasn't even one of the major US cities that North Carolina residents are desiring to travel to this Christmas. It isn't even in the state- I'd put Asheville near that top of the list as well. Thanks to places like Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Cloudwards determined the most sought-after locations for each US state including an international and domestic destination. Keep reading to see both the international and domestic destinations for North and South Carolina. Thanks to our friends at Cloudwards for sharing their research with us. You can see the full study here.

Vienna takes the crown for the most desirable international travel destination in both the Carolinas. Not only that but it topped the list in 25 states. I honestly don't know what I would have bet on to take this crown, but it wouldn't have been Austria. Perhaps the German Christmas Markets, or Paris? But according to Cloudwards Vienna is known as Europe's "most livable city". It also has plenty of it's own Christmas markets, as well as stunning lights, and Christmas markets. Visitors to Vienna also have a good chance at experiencing those elusive White Christmases here in Charlotte we can only dream about!

North Carolina's most desired Christmas destination? None other Myrtle Beach, SC. I guess North Carolinians don't want to travel far. Listen I've been to Myrtle Beach countless times. There is plenty to do, and it's conveniently located. But you can pick anywhere to travel for Christmas and you're selecting Myrtle Beach? I don't get that. But to each their own! The most common answer nationwide was Branson, MO. Another city I wouldn't have thought of!

And South Carolina's choice is also just a state away- it's Helen, GA. The German town hosts Decemberfest each year featuring a Christmas Market, parade, and other events like a Victorian Christmas program and Breakfast with Santa.