Christmas Doesn’t Feel The Same. Is this true?
‘Tis the season to be jolly. But what if we can’t feel the same jolly vibe that holidays are supposed to? Quite recently, I often hear people say “Christmas isn’t the same as it used to be,” reflecting on the nostalgia that the past celebrations have brought. But is this sentiment true? Has Christmas really changed, or is it us who have evolved?
The Christmas of Yesterday
For many, especially those born in the 90s like me, memories of Christmas are filled with warmth and simplicity. There were fewer distractions—no smartphones to scroll through or endless emails to check. Instead, the holiday was a time for family gatherings, homemade meals done by everyone, and exchanging gifts that carried meaning over a price tag.
In the early 2000s, I could still remember the feeling of being a child caroling on every house and we would gather under a lamp post at the end of the route to count the collections and divide amongst ourselves.
I could still remember the cozy warm Christmas lights and ABS CBN Christmas station IDs that reflected the very essence of the season. I could still feel the genuine joy, waiting eagerly for midnight to eat the grapes on our Noche Buena.
I’m sure even across the globe, children waited eagerly for Santa, their eyes lighting up at the sight of stockings filled with modest treasures. Communities came alive with carolers, and neighbors exchanged cookies and goodwill.
The pace was slower back then, the expectations lower, and the joy felt more organic. Would you agree?
What Has Really Changed?
Fast forward to today, and the holiday feels different–or shall I say something’s missing. So the big question is, what really changed? Here are some reasons that I could think of that might justify why Christmas doesn’t feel the same.
- Adulting is depressing
Perhaps the most significant change is not in Christmas itself but in us. As we grow older, the magic of the season shifts. As children, Christmas feels larger than life. The feeling of being excited about receiving gifts, decorating Christmas trees, or wearing your best clothes for Christmas parties. Perhaps preparing some cute steps for a dance presentation!
As adults, we’re burdened with responsibilities—ensuring everything goes “just right.”. The sparkle of the season is often overshadowed by the pressure to meet expectations—our own and others. Or maybe just being overwhelmed by the pressure of being an adult that’s leaving us exhausted during the holidays. Anxieties and sadness overcome us rather than joy and celebration.
Also, as people grow older and go through life’s changes, their priorities naturally shift. What once felt essential to a joyful Christmas—like elaborate decorations, piles of presents, or packed social calendars—may no longer hold the same significance. This evolution in focus can make Christmas feel different but also offer an opportunity to embrace new meanings and values in the season.
- Modernization
Our world has also changed. Globalization and technology have transformed traditions.
Technology has woven itself into every aspect of our lives. Instead of us gathering on Christmas Eve playing board games and cards, everyone’s too occupied with smartphones or television. Children would now sulk in their beds rather than caroling or going outside and playing traditional games while waiting for midnight.
I can say modern Christmas is quite synonymous with commercialism—sales everywhere, endless gift guides, and Instagram-worthy decorations. The holiday season can feel more like a sprint to perfection than a time of reflection.
It seems that technology has diluted the magic, leaving Christmas feeling hollow and seemed rushed.
- Change of Family Dynamics and Losing A Loved One
Perhaps the most heart-breaking reason to feel something’s missing is the change in family settings. Family dynamics evolve over time. Children grow up and move away, parents age and family gatherings can become smaller or more fragmented. Divorce or remarriage can also change the way families celebrate, creating new traditions or eliminating old ones and old traditions.
One of the most profound reasons Christmas feels different is the loss of family members or friends who once shared the holiday. Their absence can leave an emotional void, making traditions feel bittersweet and altering the dynamics of the celebration.
I see a lot of posts on Facebook from people who feel the emptiness left by someone who parted ways. It hits differently when that person/people are still with us physically. When we lose a loved one, Christmas will never be the same again.
- Moving away from faith-based celebration
Jesus is the reason of the season, hence the word Christmas. For many, Christmas has long been intertwined with faith—a celebration of religious beliefs and spiritual traditions that brought meaning to the season.
However, as times change and the personal beliefs of people evolve, losing one’s faith and understanding the reason for celebrating Christmas can profoundly affect how Christmas is experienced. The holiday may no longer hold the same spiritual meaning, leaving a sense of loss or detachment that reshapes the season’s meaning. Often, Christmas becomes more of a secular celebration than a spiritual one.
In my country, Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo is a nine-day series of evening or early dawn Masses in which Catholics are devoted to participating in celebrating the days leading to Christ’s birth. It is evident that lesser people especially young generations practice this tradition even with the belief that if you complete the 9 days, your wishes will come true.
Christmas Then, Now, and Always
If Christmas doesn’t feel the same, perhaps it’s an opportunity to reevaluate what the season means to us. Instead of longing for a version of Christmas that no longer exists, we can create a holiday that reflects the present, valuing what we have at the moment instead of counting what we lost.
The essence of Christmas that Jesus taught—love, generosity, and togetherness—remains timeless. While the way we celebrate may evolve, the heart of the holiday should endure. Christmas may not be the same as before, but it can still be beautiful in its own way, a reflection of who we are now and what we hold dear.
So this year, let’s embrace the change. Let’s find joy in the new while honoring the traditions of the old. After all, Christmas is not about what it was—it’s about the reason for the season.
