Christmas as a whole has changed throughout the decades, in more ways than one. Christmas has changed with traditions, how people view the holiday, and how people choose to celebrate it.
The first noticeable difference is how the presents are handled. Back in the early 1900s, kids were lucky to get a few presents, and usually, they were very similar to each other. It was not uncommon for kids to end up with the same gift almost, for example, teddy bears. One Florida resident reflected on the gifts he received as a child, "Back in the 1920s, the presents were small and simple. Small enough, the Viera, Fla., resident, 94, managed to keep a few… A 4-inch, light brown teddy bear whose once-fluffy fur is now flattened… Hubbard can't remember who gave him the bear, but he does remember receiving a shoe polishing set from his parents. He still has the ebony shoehorn" ("Through the Decades, Constants of Christmas Are Clear"). He recalls his Christmas gifts being very simple; practical yet simple. On the other hand, some gifts were handmade, like scarves and mittens. Now, kids' gifts seem more personal, or at least more diverse. One kid may get a new bike and transformer toys, while another kid
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One-third of Americans view the holiday as a cultural holiday, seeing it as a time that is just normal and for family and friends, rather than a celebration of religious elements. Eighty-one percent of non-Christians, including eighty-seven percent of non-religious people, say they celebrate Christmas. Which can be seen as surprising, but at the same time could very well stem from people who grew up or live with people who are Christian, and therefore celebrated Christmas, even when they did not personally identify as Christian. Sixty-nine percent of Americans look forward to spending time with friends and family, compared to the 11% who look forward to the religious
Few people can confidently say why the United States celebrates Christmas on December 25. And I imagine even fewer people know why we give gifts, or why we pucker up when we find ourselves under some mistletoe. The answers to these questions are under a thick layer of rich human and mythological history. For me, the majority of these discoveries were absolutely shocking—Christ was never in Christmas.
What about other countries though? Is the Christmas season all about giving and receiving gifts? Are children in Spain rewarded by Santa with gifts and toys on Christmas Eve? In this essay we will look at what Christmas season means in Spain, and what traditions are prevalent in their culture. We will also look at the Christmas related traditions of Americans, and how those compare and contrast to those in Spain.
Christmas was originally supposed to be a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Modern historians suggest that Christ was actually born sometime in April, but that is hardly the point; the point is that a day on which to celebrate his birth and life was needed, and so one was chosen. During the season surrounding this holiday -- especially since it coincided with that of other, similar holidays -- it was thought right to honor Jesus by acting as he did, i.e., in a kind, generous, and forgiving manner. Out of this sprung the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this holiday.
The Christmas holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith has expanded beyond its religious significance and transformed into a cultural phenomenon observed by both believers and non-believers. According to a Pew Research study conducted in 2013, 92 percent of Americans and 96 percent of Christians participate in Christmas festivities. The same study also revealed that 81 percent of non-Christians, including atheists, Buddhists, and Hindus, also observe the holiday.
Most people know the story of Santa. While there are many different versions, the gist of it is the night before Christmas, while children are sleeping, a fat man slips down the chimney to distribute gifts to boys and girls that have been good all year. The story was meant to bring hope and joy to children. It was a tale of giving and of love. However, as time goes on characters change, sometimes for better, and sometimes they take a turn for the worst.
a one-way call from the individual to the benevolent being. Letters to Santa are not unlike prayers. Truly, a child is more likely to ask for a tangible item, such as a bicycle, from Santa. However, it is not un...
This is not your typical Christmas tale. This story is about a group of friends who decide giving is better than receiving around this time of year. There are tons of children who aren’t fortunate enough to get Christmas presents, let alone plenty who don’t even have family to spend the holidays with. Three best friends ended up figuring that out and worked together to truly create a Christmas miracle.
The Bible provides no guidelines that explain how Christmas should be observed, nor does it even suggest that it should be considered a religious holiday. Because of the lack of biblical instructions, Christmas rituals have been shaped by the religious and popular traditions of each culture that celebrates the holiday.
Another example of a gift was when Pete Harris gives Joey the pocket knife for Christmas. When Pete Harris gives the pocket knife to Joey the pocket knife has Pete Harris’s initials but joey still was very grateful
The well known holiday of Christmas today is far from what it was in it’s former being. Many aspects led to the change in Christmas, however Charles Dickens, a Victorian era author was arguably the most influential in the change. There was a time when christmas was not much more important than your average holiday. Without the work of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Regency Christmas would not have changed to be the way it is today. As we examine the Regency Christmas, the Christmas events in A Christmas Carol, new Christmas ideas, and today’s new christmas we will form the true Christmas.
Christmas is almost here again, but have you ever thought how odd some of the holiday traditions are and how they became so popular? Buying a pine tree, setting it up in your house and then decorating it with festive lights and ornaments; hanging up stockings filled with candy over the fireplace; or how an old guy in a red-suit comes to your house the night before Christmas and leaves presents. This, too many Americans is normal, but why? Learning about these holiday traditions will get you into the Christmas spirit and show you what Christmas is truly about.
Christmas is a special time of year that deserves to be remembered for its true meaning. Every year, Christmas becomes more and more commercialized and society forgets the origin of Christmas. It was not started with cookies, toys, and a fat man that delivers them, but instead it started with a humble inn where our Savior was born. The definition of Christmas is “a holiday on December 25 celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” Nowhere in that definition does it say anything about the outrageous pressure society has set on consumers to buy, buy, buy during the Christmas season. Christmas is about presence not presents.
Today it seems as though Christmas has fallen victim to materialism and commercialization. Rather than it being a time of loving and giving, it has become a stressful season of greed. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it is important for us to recognize the true reason of the season, and celebrate in a fashion that exemplifies that reason.
Although it was never celebrated in biblical times, Christmas is celebrated in local churches here in Visalia, California in praise of the fact that God loved us so much; he sent his one and only son to earth. He was wholey god and wholey man. Whereas we have succumbed to the temptations of this earth, Jesus was able to overcome all temptations and live a sinless life. He was then crucified as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. One cannot understand why we celebrate the birth of Christ without seeing the other end of his life. He was crucified for our sins and resurrected.
Christmas decorations should create a feeling of magic. The desire to create a magic home and bringing the spirit of Christmas can seem heavy these days. It becomes heavy and hard to carry, that parents now feel over the need to make