What does Christmas mean to you?

Lifestyle | December 24, 2025

By Brianna Lane

When you think about Christmas, what does it mean to you?

Is it a present? Family? Trifle?

Well, I’ve gone ahead and asked. I surveyed people to see what Christmas meant to them.

“Christmas is family time! Presents, coming together and having a great time is what it is all about”

“Family and drinks”

“It’s the time to celebrate Jesus. He was born on that glorious day. That is what it should be, all out”

Now that is the question. Is Christmas really all about that now, though?

When I searched on Google, simply for what Christmas was about, this is what I got:

Okay, well, what about those who don’t follow religion?

So in summary, it is time for family, celebrating each other and Jesus (if you are religious). But really, when I have gone to the shops this Christmas season, I feel as though I didn’t feel this. I felt that Christmas wasn’t as joyous or as kind as I usually expect. I went to the shops to buy gifts for others, and really all I saw was people caring only for themselves. Yes, they seemed like they were getting gifts for others, but when a lady in a wheelchair needed help turning around in the busy shops, why was I the only one who stopped? Or even when I went to Costco, why were there people swearing and yelling at each other for a park? Or people pushing and shoving to get in line to pay for their groceries. Death stares were through, but not ‘You’ve only got two groceries, go in front of me’?

Where in all of Christmas did it become so focused on the best things you can get for others instead of the actual Christmas spirit and helping one another? I saw a video online recently about a father coming back from the shops and showing everything he got for his 10-year-old daughter. These things included iPads, the newest iPhone, etc. The issue is not the video itself, but rather the hate and opinions going through the comments. How about Christmas cards? Is that outdated now? The only Christmas cards I would get now are from the real estate agent who is trying to promote himself and saying, “I can sell your house! I sent you a Christmas card, so remember me!”

LINK FOR TIKTOK: For your own opinion https://www.tiktok.com/@dibzbaby/video/7586939427763637522?_r=1&_t=ZS-92TQiFpXZ10

These things frustrated and rather upset me. Although when I looked further, I hoped for some hope. Thankfully, I brought it upon myself to get the family to go Christmas light-watching, and when we did, we saw families and kids running around looking at the lights. That is beautiful. We then saw a gentleman driving his car and saw that he had popped his tyre. My partner and my family stopped as well and got out to help. That is kindness. Even today, I was driving home and saw a big, beautiful sign saying the firefighters would come around and bring Santa with them at 11:30 am. Now that is fun. Finally, a man went to the front of his house and dropped a present on the top of his garbage bin with a sticker reading ‘to the garbage man’.

After all these considerations, I’ve come to the realisation that everyone has a different Christmas. Whether that is spoiling the ones you love, drinking as much as you can or celebrating Jesus being born, everyone has a different definition of it. I do think, though, there needs to be reminders to treat as many people as possible as kindly as you can. This is an excellent time for some, and a sad or stressful time for others. Being kind and caring to all should be the basis of Christmas, and the minimum we should give to all. So be kind to the service workers, the family members, the friends, and the not-so-friends, and remember that Christmas is different for all of us. So please be kind.

Merry Christmas, everyone!