For many, Christmas is a time where family feels closer than ever. Aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, cousins - every family member that can attend - huddled around a table at someone’s house perched on mismatched chairs. It’s a time to catch up on the year’s offerings, be that good or bad. Post-Covid, family spending time together becomes all the more precious. It could be a time to remember cherished loved ones no longer with us. Overall, the general seasonal message is one of togetherness, with everyone driving home for Christmas. Many Christmas traditions are also rooted in time spent with family. Whether that be siblings who always decorate the tree, a mother’s impeccable roast potatoes, or an uncle who wears the same jumper every year, it’s undeniable that family make these so special. It provides ample time for bonding and producing feelings of connection, and can be an incredibly happy time for those who value their family highly.
However, family festivities aren’t available to everyone. It’s important to remember that, for those who do celebrate, Christmas is not experienced the same by everyone. It’s a time where images of ‘perfect’ families are constantly present throughout the media, when this isn’t attainable. It could be a difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of a family member close to them, or someone with no close family at all. Some families might just not be into Christmas, or live so far away from them that it’s impossible to make a big visit. And just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean the world stops turning - nurses, police, and some retail staff still have to work during this period, missing out on such sentimental Christmas events. This can lead to a time that’s isolating or alienating, and the pressure to create a warming and happy environment can be tough. It’s a season masked in joy, where any expressing any form of negativity gets you labelled a ‘scrooge’.
Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean the world stops turning
But, this article is here to reassure you that if visions of perfect family Christmases and cute traditions seem unattainable, they’re all a bit of a façade anyway. Being around family is, really and truthfully, exhausting. So much so that many families only have such a big do at Christmas (or the occasional milestone birthday). It’s okay if your Christmas looks a bit different to others, or if your house has less decorations. In a time where we’re so immersed in consumerist culture, a ‘big family Christmas’ is a largely fabricated ideal to sell more anyway. The real meaning of Christmas for many isn’t about the gifts or the gatherings, it’s a time of reflection and thankfulness for what - or who -we do have. This could be the great friends we are lucky to spend or time with, or new ones that we’ve made since last Christmas.
Family festivities may be important to many and a big part of a lot of Christmases, but that doesn't make it the be-all and end-all if to you, family is chosen as opposed to being blood, or it’s not possible for everyone to be with you.
Christmas is a time of joy - and a time to be with whoever makes you happiest.
Christmas is a time of joy - and a time to be with whoever makes you happiest