There’s nothing quite like getting into the Christmas spirit each year. It’s a time for celebration, spending time with family, and following traditions (or making new ones). However, a lot has changed over the past couple of decades, and many will agree that Christmas isn’t like it used to be. Here are 16 ways Christmas has worsened over the past 20 years.
Excessive Commercialisation
It should come as no surprise that commercialisation is first on this list. Christmas used to be a season of giving, but over the last two decades, we’ve seen it become a relentless sales pitch. Shops start piling their shelves with Christmas stock before Halloween has even ended, and ‘must-have’ gifts become the only thing people talk about. The pressure to spend more each year takes away what Christmas is truly about.
Family Gatherings Become Smaller and Smaller
You might still be able to remember gathering with your extended family on Christmas day, where everyone was sitting around a table, pulling crackers and piling turkey on their plates. It used to be a common debate among the family about who would be hosting Christmas that year, but now, packed schedules and long distances have made these reunions less common.
Over the Top Decorations
Decorating used to involve hauling a couple of boxes down from the attic and putting up a few lights and tinsel here and there. They were traditional decorations that had been in the family for years, really making them feel like they had some meaning. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see neighbours competing against one another with houses lit up like theme parks and synchronised light shows.
Oversharing on Social Media
We all know that as soon as we open our social media apps on Christmas morning, it’s going to be full of people posting their gifts and then later in the day, their dinner. Christmas Day used to be about enjoying special moments with family, but of course, 20 years ago there was no such thing as social media. Now, there’s often an urge to post a ‘perfect day’ and show off to followers.
The Disappearance of Christmas Cards
Not too long ago, our mantelpieces used to be packed with greeting cards from our friends, family, neighbours and acquaintances. Sending and receiving Christmas cards used to be a beloved tradition, where we’d buy packs of them to make sure everyone got a card. However, times have changed and now the tradition is dwindling as more people send quick messages or group texts, leaving our homes a little less festive.
Decline in Carol Singing
One thing we can all agree on is that carol singing was a staple of the season, with groups wandering the streets or showing up at your doorstep. These days, it’s a rarity and usually something we only ever see in films. Whether it’s fear of disturbing people or there’s simply less interest, those spontaneous festive tunes that once warmed neighbourhoods are fading into memory.
The Loss of Traditional Toys
Gone are the days when children’s wish lists were full of wooden train sets and classic dolls. Ask any child what they want for Christmas today and they’ll most likely say the latest tablet or gaming console. Of course, technology has its perks, but there’s something nostalgic about toys that don’t need to be connected to WiFi or charged.
Fewer Snowy Christmases
When we think back to twenty years ago, we can probably remember a couple of white Christmases, or at least snow during the build-up to Christmas. While it’s always been rare, now it seems almost impossible. Milder winters have reduced the chances of snow, leaving us stuck with dark and damp Christmas mornings.
Fading Workplace Festivities
If you were working 20 years ago, then you can probably remember that the office Christmas party used to be a big event, full of laughs, questionable dancing, and dodgy Secret Santas. Fast forward two decades and stricter workplace rules and tighter budgets have made these a thing of the past. Now, Christmas parties are smaller gatherings or even virtual events, which lack the same festive spirit.
Overpackaged Gifts
Wrapping gifts hasn’t gotten any easier over the years thanks to an incline toward excessive packaging. You could even say it’s become a trend and the more outrageously wrapped a present is, the better. Simple, wrapped presents have now become layers of plastic and boxes within boxes. Not only does it feel wasteful, but it also takes away the thought that went into purchasing the present.
Quieter High Streets
Walk down any high street in December two decades ago and you’ll find it bustling with carol singers, chestnut vendors and market stalls. These days, more people shop online, leaving town centres quieter and much more miserable. That festive buzz and community spirit have now become almost impossible to find.
Pre-made Christmas Dinners
Nothing would beat cooking Christmas dinner from scratch, which often involved the whole family pitching in. The thought of a sizzling turkey and your grandmother’s special roast potatoes was enough to make your mouth water, but nowadays, pre-made meals and ready-to-cook kits have gained popularity. They may promise convenience but lose all the magic of a home-cooked feast.
Vanishing TV Specials
Once your belly was stuffed with Christmas dinner, it was time to settle down for Christmas Day TV. It used to bring families together for big events like a new Only Fools and Horses special or a blockbuster film. Streaming services and on-demand viewing have changed those communal moments, making it rare for everyone to sit down and watch the same thing.
Stricter Christmas Traditions in Schools
You might still be able to remember that school nativities and Christmas fairs were highlights of the season. Nowadays, increased scrutiny and tighter guidelines have changed the way festive events are carried out. Some schools are scaling back due to budget issues or altering them to be more neutral, losing part of the seasonal charm that once brought pupils, parents, and teachers together.
Less Visible Charitable Giving
If we rewind twenty years, Christmas was once a time when charitable giving flourished, with collections for local charities receiving strong support. While we can all agree that many still give, the focus has shifted more to online fundraisers, which lack the same tangible sense of community involvement.
The Rise of Early Sales
To cap this off, we’ve all noticed that pre-Christmas sales have dramatically changed our festive shopping habits. The rush to find deals starts in late November, with many people completing their Christmas shopping weeks before the festive season truly begins. While this can help to spread costs, it also takes away thoughtful gift buying as people are more focused on finding a bargain.