The Changing Face of Christmas

The Holidays are upon us, and while I’m not exactly in a frenzy, I can certainly feel the pace quickening. Preparations have begun, lists are gradually being ticked off, and we’ll soon be hosting a Christmas brunch for friends. The gentle prelude before the full rhythm of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and a few familiar faces.

As I prepare this year, I find myself thinking about how our Christmases have evolved. From the early years, when there were tiny children in the house, wondering what Father Christmas might leave at the foot of their bed and everything felt magical and slightly chaotic; this was the era of the full-blown energy of a big family celebration, with gifts piled high, long meals stretching into the afternoon, and excited little ones

I have a short video of my eldest son, then four years old, filmed on Christmas morning. He is earnestly telling me how he saw Father Christmas descend from the sky during the night. He wasn’t inventing anything; he was simply reporting an experience so real and thrilling to him that there was no room for doubt. Reindeer, sleigh, the whole story, he had seen it, and I was certainly not going to tell him otherwise.

As the children grew older, we kept up our traditions, stockings (including one for each dog), thoughtful gifts, and familiar rituals. But with more hands to help, Christmas began to feel less like a marathon and more like a shared joy.

And now, today, the gift list hasn’t shortened. The number of people around our table hasn’t dwindled, but the faces have changed with time. Our eldest joins us every other Christmas, spending the alternate years with his in-laws, entirely normal. Yet we never worry about empty places at the table. Friends seem to appear naturally, filling any potential gaps with warmth and laughter.

An older couple we love dearly, whose own families live far away, now join us with delight. And a young couple with their baby. They first arrived during a difficult year when they had fallen out with their family and were facing a lonely Christmas. The disagreement has long been resolved, but they still like to celebrate with us. Their presence has become a cherished part of our Christmas story.

And so it continues: the Holiday table full, lively, noisy in the best way. We all share in the anticipation, the glow of Christmas Eve dinner and the generous lunch on the 25th.

I can’t predict what our Holidays will look like in the years to come. Perhaps soon we’ll be invited by our children, and the roles will reverse. But one thing feels unchanging: the importance of gathering around a happy table, preparing something delicious, and sharing long conversations and laughter. That, I hope, will remain constant.

How have your holiday traditions changed over the years? Share with me in the comments below.