Has Christmas Lost Its Spirit?
“Christmas evolves with you, and while the celebration might look different, it doesn’t fade away. Rather, it becomes a more mature tradition, focused less on receiving and more on the deeper connections that come with the season.”
Guess what…It is that time of year again! From getting hit by the freezing cold air, to the blinding festive lights. Christmas is near! We can all gather around and reminisce about this highly idolized holiday that has kept us up through sleepless nights throughout our childhoods.
What exactly is Christmas? And where did it emerge from? Well, Christmas is primarily a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, which is traditionally observed on December 25th. Even though it had its origin in Europe; overtime, it became a widely celebrated cultural event, blending both religious and non-religious traditions. As mentioned—it is a Christian holiday, but now it is widely celebrated throughout the world as a holiday tradition that includes gift-giving, festivity, and time with family and friends. Christmas has become as much a cultural holiday as a religious one, with people of different faiths or no faith at all taking part in the festivities. In the U.S, Christmas is celebrated by Christians, atheists, agnostics, and people from many different cultural backgrounds. Which means…Christmas is for everyone! So never feel excluded because of your religious beliefs. Because everyone deserves a gift, whether it be spiritual or physical.
Lately, though, we’ve noticed a decline in the festivity and celebration of the holiday—especially when compared to our childhood experiences. Have you ever spent the days leading up to Christmas without feeling that familiar thrill? Even if your home is decked out with Christmas lights, Santa figurines, and a tree filled with ornaments, something still feels missing. The excitement of waiting for Santa, and the warmth of family traditions all seem to fade, replaced by the pressures of adulthood and the rush to keep up with the demands of the season. The festive spirit feels more distant, and the magic we once felt seems harder to recapture. Why is this? And is it real? Has Christmas really lost its spirit?
We decided to conduct interviews to see if Christmas has lost its festive spirit, and we wanted to hear from people from all stages of life.
During our discussion with a CSH student she talked about her own experience when it came to Christmas, memories and the present. She remembers this time of year as exciting and overall fun.
During a conversation with a CSH staff member who is deeply passionate about the Christmas spirit, he reflected on how his relationship with the holiday has evolved over time. He shared that, as a child, he anticipated Christmas with great excitement. As he entered his teenage years, that same sense of festivity remained, though in a more mature and serious way. He acknowledged that while the holidays were still important to him, they no longer held the same sense of wonder and joy as they did when he was younger—something he felt was perfectly normal.
What truly stood out, however, was how he expanded on his main point. He noted that, as you grow older, your desires shift, particularly when it comes to gifts. He believes Christmas evolves with you, and while the celebration might look different, it doesn’t fade away. Rather, it becomes a more mature tradition, focused less on receiving and more on the deeper connections that come with the season.
Age can be a major influence on how we can view and experience Christmas. Children have the joy of Santa bringing presents and running early in the morning to open them, and adults have the joy of making these dreams come to life. However…is this the only reason we might experience such disconnect from the holidays? Age? Growing up? It’s obvious that every person on this planet is unique. This is also the case when it comes to the way you might feel towards this time of year. The reasons vary from old memories we might visit during this time, difficult family dynamics, or even the fact of being stressed or overwhelmed with holiday activities.
Christmas is a holiday of great celebration and joy, but it's no lie that there are some individuals that don’t enjoy this holiday as much as others. What are ways that we can try to cherish this holiday? Maybe we need to simply acknowledge our emotions towards Christmas, and we need to say that it's okay if you struggle to enjoy the festive times. When it comes to social activities, we know it’s okay to retreat when needed, especially if you suffer from anxiety or other major issues that may hinder you from reaching that full potential. But lastly, we know that it is okay not to engage in the traditional expectations of Christmas, and that you can always celebrate in your own personal way. It’s 100% okay if it’s not your favorite time of year!