12 Christmas Traditions Loved by Baby Boomers, Less Popular with Millennials
Christmas traditions hold a special place in our hearts, but the way we celebrate has evolved significantly over the years.
From decking the halls to gift-giving, many holiday practices have changed, or even disappeared, thanks to modern technology, shifting family dynamics, and evolving preferences. For example, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), 85% of Christmas trees sold were artificial, showing a significant preference for convenience over tradition.
Ready to take a holiday stroll down memory lane? Here are 12 beloved Christmas traditions that have changed over time, and you’ll be amazed at how much the holiday season has evolved.
Elaborate Christmas Decorations
Christmas light displays were once massive, with entire neighborhoods lighting up the night sky. Today, many people opt for simpler, more sustainable decorating styles.
According to a Statista survey, 43% of U.S. households planned to decorate their homes with Christmas lights. However, the trend is moving away from extravagant yard displays and toward indoor elegance and eco-friendly lighting.
While you still have those families going all-out with a light spectacle, the modern trend leans towards subtlety, think more white lights and clean, minimalist decor. Even the outdoor inflatable Santa has seen a decrease in popularity.
Real Christmas Trees
The smell of a real Christmas tree used to fill every home, but artificial trees are increasingly replacing them in many households.
The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) reports that 85% of Christmas trees sold were artificial, showing a significant preference for convenience over tradition.
Some Americans still prefer a fresh-cut tree, even if it means dealing with the needles and the hassle of picking it out. It’s about that experience—the tradition, the smell, the nostalgia.
Sending Physical Christmas Cards
Once a staple of the holiday season, sending physical Christmas cards is now a rarity. According to a KTVZ survey, 31% of Americans are ready to ditch Christmas cards entirely in favor of modern alternatives. Social media and e-cards are increasingly the go-to choice for many, as technology makes greeting others more convenient.
But hey, receiving a handwritten card still carries that personal touch that we just can’t seem to let go of, even if the trend has diminished.
Baking Christmas Cookies
Baking cookies once meant gathering family in the kitchen to mix dough and decorate cookies; today, pre-made dough and cookie kits are the go-to.
According to Future Market Insights, the cookie dough market is projected to reach USD 13.7 billion by 2025. Baking Christmas cookies is a tradition they enjoy, but fewer are baking from scratch. Instead, cookie kits or store-bought dough make the process easier.
While nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked cookies from scratch, many are opting for efficiency, especially during the hectic holiday season.
Sending Christmas Gifts Through the Mail
Back in the day, sending gifts through the mail was a festive ritual. Carefully wrapping presents, addressing them to relatives far and wide, and eagerly awaiting their delivery were part of the holiday magic.
But with the rise of online shopping, sending gifts by mail has become much simpler. Now, it’s all about ordering from websites and having the gifts shipped directly to the recipient. No wrapping, no waiting in line at the post office. Still, there’s something nostalgic about getting a package wrapped in holiday paper with a handwritten note; maybe that’s something we’ll bring back someday.
Attending Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Candlelight church services were once a Christmas Eve staple, but many are choosing alternative activities over attending religious services. Lifeway Research found that only 47% of U.S. adults attend a religious service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, a significant decrease from previous decades.
People are finding other ways to connect with the holiday spirit, be it through family time, cozy movie marathons, or other secular traditions.
Caroling Around the Neighborhood
Christmas caroling used to be a beloved tradition in which groups of friends and family would go door-to-door, serenading neighbors with festive songs. It was a way to spread holiday cheer and engage with the community, all while bundled up in scarves and mittens.
Today, the idea of it is rare. Sure, some groups still gather to sing, but let’s be honest: most of us would rather just play Christmas music through our phones and call it a day. It’s definitely one of those traditions that’s fallen by the wayside in favor of more passive ways to spread holiday cheer.
Writing Annual Family Newsletters
Once a must-do, writing detailed family newsletters has been largely replaced by social media updates and text messages. The Pew Research Center found that 74% of people say they use social media to keep up with friends and family—meaning newsletters are becoming a bit of a nostalgic throwback.
Sure, sending a newsletter might seem a little outdated, but it’s a great way to personalize holiday greetings and share a year’s worth of memories all in one go.
Gifting Extended Family Members
Once upon a time, everyone in the extended family exchanged gifts. Today, the trend is shifting toward more intimate gift-giving among immediate family or close friends. According to Statista, people now focus their gift-giving on immediate family and close friends rather than the entire extended family.
Let’s be honest, buying a gift for every cousin or second cousin on your list can get expensive and exhausting. Focusing on those closest to you can make the season more meaningful (and a bit easier on your wallet).
Hosting Big Christmas Dinners
The Christmas dinner has always been a focal point of the holiday, with families gathering around the table for a lavish spread of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the fixings. There’s nothing like the smell of a home-cooked feast wafting through the house, signaling that Christmas is officially here.
However, in recent years, these grand dinners have become less common. People are opting for smaller, more relaxed meals, or sometimes even heading to restaurants for a holiday meal that’s cooked and cleaned up for them. While nothing beats the comfort of a homemade meal, the convenience of dining out has its charm too.
Handmade Gifts
There was a time when handmade gifts were considered the ultimate in thoughtfulness, be it a knitted scarf, a hand-carved ornament, or a personalized scrapbook. These gifts weren’t just presents; they were expressions of love and effort, often taking hours or even weeks to make.
Today, however, the convenience of online shopping has made gift-giving much simpler. While some still love the personal touch of handmade gifts, many are more inclined to pick something ready-made or, dare I say, opt for gift cards or experiences. I mean, who wouldn’t want a spa day over a hand-knitted sweater, right?
Christmas TV Specials and Holiday Movies
The holiday season was synonymous with the classic Christmas specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and It’s a Wonderful Life. These specials were a staple of holiday traditions, bringing families together to enjoy the magic of the season on TV.
Now, Christmas TV specials are still around, but they’ve taken a backseat to streaming marathons. While we’ll still pop in a favorite holiday movie or special, we no longer have to wait for the annual broadcast. We can stream Elf, Home Alone, or The Grinch whenever we want. It’s a blessing and a curse, more choices, less waiting.
Key Takeaways
Over the years, Christmas traditions have evolved significantly, reflecting broader cultural and technological changes. Similarly, the classic tradition of sending physical Christmas cards has been replaced by digital greetings, with people sending fewer cards today. And let’s not forget that cookie baking is also becoming less common, as many now rely on pre-made dough or kits for convenience.
Family dynamics have also shifted, with more focus on immediate family rather than extended relatives when it comes to gift-giving. Likewise, the grand Christmas dinner is being replaced by smaller, casual meals or even dining out, with people opting to celebrate at restaurants rather than cook at home. This trend aligns with the broader shift towards more intimate and less formal holiday celebrations.
Technology has reshaped how we engage with Christmas entertainment and shopping. People now prefer streaming Christmas movies instead of watching TV specials, and online shopping has dramatically changed gift-giving. Also, the tradition of caroling is fading, with only a few people participating in it today, replaced by more passive ways of spreading holiday cheer, such as social media posts or digital greetings. Overall, Christmas has become a blend of tradition and modern convenience, with a greater emphasis on experiences over material gifts and a shift towards digital-first celebrations.
Disclosure line: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.
20 Odd American Traditions That Confuse the Rest of the World
20 Odd American Traditions That Confuse the Rest of the World
It’s no surprise that cultures worldwide have their own unique customs and traditions, but some of America’s most beloved habits can seem downright strange to outsiders.
Many American traditions may seem odd or even bizarre to people from other countries. Here are twenty of the strangest American traditions that confuse the rest of the world.
20 of the Worst American Tourist Attractions, Ranked in Order
20 of the Worst American Tourist Attractions, Ranked in Order
If you’ve found yourself here, it’s likely because you’re on a noble quest for the worst of the worst—the crème de la crème of the most underwhelming and downright disappointing tourist traps America offers. Maybe you’re looking to avoid common pitfalls, or perhaps just a connoisseur of the hilariously bad.
Whatever the reason, here is a list that’s sure to entertain, if not educate. Hold onto the hats and explore the ranking, in sequential order, of the 20 worst American tourist attractions.
