IS CHRISTMAS LOSING ITS FLAVOUR AND GLORY?

When did the rain start beating us? When did the magic of Christmas begin to fade? It’s a question that haunts many of us, especially as the festive season rolls around and the warmth of tradition seems to slip through our fingers like grains of sand. In the 80s and 90s, Christmas was a time of pure joy and wonder, an occasion when we could almost taste the happiness in the air. Families gathered, homes were alive with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the simple act of decorating the tree felt like a magical ritual. But now, it seems, something is missing. The air isn’t as thick with excitement, the streets no longer glow as brightly, and the season feels just a little more... muted.

Last week, our team set out on a mission to uncover why Christmas 2024 doesn't feel quite like the Christmases we remember. We conducted a spot check/random survey, asking people from all walks of life to reflect on how the season has changed over the past decade. The responses were both thought-provoking and heartbreaking, revealing a shift that many of us may have sensed but couldn’t fully articulate. It seems that Christmas, once synonymous with love, warmth, and togetherness, has been slowly overshadowed by a growing list of modern-day challenges.

First, there’s the Digital Divide. “We’re more connected, yet less present,” one respondent remarked. With our eyes glued to screens, we scroll through feeds instead of fostering the real, face-to-face connections that once made the season feel so magical. Christmas used to be about sharing moments, not just images. But today, we’re more likely to "like" a holiday post than we are to sit down with a loved one and enjoy a cup of cocoa. The magic seems to have been lost in the virtual world.

Then there’s the overwhelming Commercialization Overload. “Christmas has become more about consumerism than community. It's lost its spiritual essence,” another individual shared. Gifts have shifted from heartfelt gestures to checklist items, and the emphasis on materialism has crowded out the deeper meaning of the season. Once, the joy of Christmas was found in shared experiences, the warmth of a homemade gift, or the joy of giving back. Today, it seems we’re all too busy chasing the perfect gift, only to find ourselves exhausted and disconnected by the time Christmas actually arrives.

We also heard about the Fading Traditions. “We’ve forgotten the old ways,” one person lamented. Fewer people bake together, fewer families sing carols, and fewer communities engage in the spirit of exchange—whether that’s a gift, a meal, or just a moment of togetherness. It’s not about the number of presents anymore; it’s about the depth of connection. Yet, in our increasingly busy lives, we seem to have misplaced these treasured rituals that made Christmas feel so grounded in family and community.

The Stress Factor cannot be ignored either. “The pressure to have the perfect Christmas, the perfect gifts, the perfect dinner... it’s exhausting,” another respondent admitted. Christmas was once a time to relax and reflect, but today it feels like a marathon of obligations and expectations. We push ourselves to meet an ever-growing checklist, driven by societal pressures and personal anxieties about living up to the image of the "perfect" holiday.

And then, of course, there’s the looming threat of Climate Anxiety. “How can we celebrate when the future is uncertain?” one respondent questioned. The warmth of Christmas feels harder to embrace when we’re constantly reminded of environmental crises, natural disasters, and the uncertainty of our planet’s future. Climate change, once an abstract concept, now impacts the way we think about the seasons—leaving us wondering if this holiday, too, could be endangered by the very world we inhabit.

Economic Hardships have also taken a toll. “Rising costs and economic instability have dampened the holiday spirit,” many shared. While Christmas is supposed to be about joy and celebration, for some, it’s a reminder of the struggles they face to make ends meet. The burden of financial stress casts a shadow over what should be a time of light and love, and it’s hard to celebrate when you’re unsure how you’ll pay for your next meal, let alone a Christmas feast.

Urbanization and Isolation have also contributed to this shift. “We’ve moved away from our extended families and communities,” one person noted. The sense of belonging, once a central part of the Christmas experience, has diminished. With families scattered across cities or even countries, the close-knit gatherings that once defined Christmas are becoming a thing of the past. Loneliness is creeping in, and it’s hard to feel festive when the people you care about seem miles away.

The Loss of Innocence plays a part, too. “As we grow older, the magic of childhood fades,” said one respondent. "We’ve become more cynical and less hopeful." The sparkle in our eyes as children seems to fade with age, and with it, the sense of wonder that once filled our hearts. We grow older, more aware of the complexities of the world, and with that comes a certain detachment from the magic that once defined this time of year.

The Noise of Politics has seeped into every aspect of our lives, and Christmas has not been spared. “Political divisions and social unrest have seeped into our personal lives,” one individual shared. It’s hard to focus on the joy of the season when the world around us feels so divided and contentious. The spirit of unity, so often associated with the holidays, feels distant when politics and social unrest dominate the conversation.

Finally, Social Media has created a quest for perfection. “We compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate,” another individual shared. The filtered lives we see online make us question our own worth, especially during the holiday season. Instead of embracing the chaos and imperfections that make Christmas real, we are often bogged down by the pressure to portray an idealized version of it. The authenticity and imperfection of the holiday have been replaced by curated images and unrealistic expectations.

So, what do we do about it? How can we reclaim the magic of Christmas? It’s time to refocus on what truly matters. Let’s rediscover the joy of giving, not just to receive, but to connect with one another. Let’s bring back the traditions that make this season special, whether it’s baking cookies together, singing carols, or simply being present with our loved ones. Let’s lower our expectations and embrace the imperfect beauty of the season. Let’s let go of the pressure to make everything perfect and allow space for real connections. Let’s move away from the commercialized chaos and return to the spirit of community, where the greatest gift we can offer is our time, our love, and our genuine presence. In all honesty,Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be magical. It just has to be real.