Restoring the true meaning of Christmas
Shopping, decorating and gift-giving have taken over as Christmas traditions, but what about care and connection?
When the clock strikes midnight on November 1, we all brace for all sorts of marketing schemes marking the start of the holiday season. In western society, we’ve grown accustomed to the flood of Christmas music across streaming platforms, the adornment of Christmas decorations and flashy displays of Christmas products at every store. Naturally, we are tempted to prepare for Christmas early—after all, no one wants to miss out on the Christmas sales.
Harnoor Kang, a second year student from the University of Toronto Mississauga shared her insights regarding this phenomenon. Kang, who is pursuing a Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) major and double minor in Education Studies and Environmental Management, shared that her family often begins preparation for Christmas quite early, as she delays Christmas shopping to mid-December.
“To really soak in the festive atmosphere, we actually make a point of putting our decorations up by the last two weeks of November,” Kang said. “[It] just makes the whole house feel cozier. And it means we get to enjoy the lights and festive touches for a longer period.”
The commercialization of Christmas has its benefits. It can encourage people to spread holiday cheer and spark thoughtfulness as consumers put in effort to find the perfect gifts for loved ones. On the other hand, it has commodified these good-hearted intentions, partly through Christmas music.
When the true meaning of Christmas fizzled out
Since its release in 1994, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become a beloved Christmas classic. It speaks about the importance of quality time, rather than the materialism that comes with the holiday season. However, given its popularity and the numerous media content it has inspired, such as the “defrosting” reference, the song’s initial meaning has faded.
Holiday shopping is also a massive culture in Western society. Stores often put up decorations and gift promotions months before Christmas. Many stores have incentives that encourage shoppers to make purchases early. For example, Shopper Drug Mart’s slogan, “Buy gifts for them, get points for you!” uses Christmas as an agenda to increase profits.
Kang expressed mixed feelings when it comes to Christmas advertising. “Some of the ads can be quite charming and even evoke a bit of that nostalgic Christmas spirit,” she said. “But then there’s the flip slide… sometimes it feels like we’re being bombarded with messages to ‘buy, buy, buy,’ which can take away the genuine meaning of the season, making it more about consumption than connection.”
Through the noise of commercialization, a once-simple yet heartwarming holiday has turned into a major cash grab. The holiday, originally meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and encourage connection, has become a stress inducer for many consumers. It might have also reassigned the value of gift-giving with a price tag.
Homemade gifts, carolling, and connecting with neighbours
Despite this culture being engraved into society, there are ways in which we can turn to more practical ways to express our love and appreciation for those who are close to us.
For Kang, one way to avoid commercialization is to focus on experiences over gifts. “Instead of buying things, maybe plan a social outing with loved ones,” she said. “Creating memories together often lasts longer (impression) than any physical gift.”
For example, although homemade gifts often cost less than store-bought presents, they can demonstrate a different level of love and care. The time and effort it takes to make something more personalized for a loved one is priceless.
“Whether it’s baking cookies, crafting something unique, or even writing a heartfelt letter, these [gifts] often carry more sentiment,” Kang said.
While commercialized Christmas music often feels tied to shopping and holiday marketing, people can choose to appreciate it as its own musical genre rather than a trigger for consumerism. For example, Catholic celebrants might focus on religious carols that emphasize the holiday’s origins.
Christmas is often centred on quality family time. However, extending the Christmas warmth to your community can help further spread the compassion and care that Christmas embodies. Acts like making a call to a distant relative, sharing a gingerbread cookie with the children in your block, or offering to shovel your neighbour’s driveway can restore the Christmas spirit.
Kang further shared ways to make Christmas preparation a meaningful experience on its own, rather than a routine urged by societal pressure. “Be really mindful about how much time you spend shopping, and dedicate that time to non-commercial traditions instead.” She continues, “Baking, watching classic holiday movies, singing carols, or simply having quiet, quality time with family and friends can help shift the focus back to what truly matters—connection, generosity, and peace, rather than just endless spending.”
Stripping away Christmas’ fancy wrapping and price tags can help us see it as a season not to buy love, but to spread love through dedicating sincerity and care into our relationships.
