Focus: The Christmas spirit

This Christmas we decided to poll people on whether there has been a dramatic change in the manner in which the holiday season is celebrated.

While most agreed that the true spirit is missing, it is heartening to know that family traditions are very much still intact.

Commercialisation has not yet managed to eliminate the joy of relationships. Share your views on the issue at readers@gulfnews.com.

Celebrations have been reduced to overeating and binge drinking.

Yes, this is true. I work in a hotel and I see that happening all the time. I have noticed that many people prefer to go drinking, forgetting the true meaning of Christmas. They no longer go to church as religion is not on their minds and there are many temptations. They no longer care about spending Christmas with their families and friends, though this is what this time is all about.
- Mario D'Souza
India

Yes, this is true. People nowadays tend to go to parties to eat and drink. It looks like most have started to enjoy doing this rather than enjoying a traditional Christmas with their families. I have been living with my family in Dubai for a long time and been celebrating Christmas here, but it has always been traditional like going to church, visiting family and exchanging gifts.
- Diane T.
Dubai

I don't think so. I think there are people who are still traditional when it comes to celebrating Christmas. People still go to church, have dinner together and exchange gifts. Christmas to me is all about giving and spending time with your loved ones. But the upbringing of a person plays a role. If you are used to spending Christmas with family, then you will keep doing it.
- Eric Salita
Philippines

Not really. I think there are people who still celebrate it in the traditional manner. I know I still do. Christmas is all about giving and sharing. But I think that some people have gotten into the habit of just overeating and binge drinking. I think for many expatriates the atmosphere is different. Some do not even have families here, so they just look for some enjoyment.
- Steve Jackson
UK

People no longer focus on family traditions.

Unfortunately, yes. People, mostly, do not revere their traditions as they feel it is a burden, which curbs the very freedom of living life on one's own terms. They think traditions pull them down rather than letting them grow. Sometimes they are in the right, but in many cases, respecting traditions helps bind people together and makes them realise the ethos, moral values and religious facets of human existence.

- Subhasis Mukherjee, Gulf News Reader's Club member
India

Family reunions are important during Christmas. People come together to share food, exchange gifts ... it's a family festival. Christmas has a different flavour here, because not everyone has his or her family here. So in the end, it can turn into a bunch of friends meeting up. There is no time to cook a proper Christmas meal. People just meet to eat at a restaurant and then go drinking.
- Priscilla Rovillos
Philippines

No, I don't think so. I think people are very much into family traditions when they celebrate Christmas. I still do. I mean I celebrated Christmas for the first time in Dubai. Usually I go to my daughter's house, go to church and meet people.
- Margret Foster
UK

I am from the US and I feel the Christmas spirit is more in Dubai than back home. The occasion there has turned into something commercial. We don't even bring ourselves to say, “Merry Christmas'' but we say “Happy Holidays''. In Dubai, I feel that Christmas is more about family and traditions.
- Gail Jacoby
US

Church attendance for the occasion has fallen.

I guess so. There is no time any longer to go because of work and schedules. If you go to church you do not see as many people as you expect to. People are tired and would rather sleep than go. But I still think that there are people who still care enough about religion and celebrating Christmas that they have gatherings at their home where friends and family come
together to pray.
- Anna Salvador
Philippines

Yes, I think so. Christmas has turned into a shopping event rather than a celebration of faith. I think many people, and this is the world over, have lost their faith a bit. What they focus on now is what to buy. Shops are also not doing anything about this because they have their own consumer agenda and they would never want people to stop buying. Advertisements start in early November for Christmas.
- John Burgess
UK

I think so. I think the number of people who attend church has reduced, especially among the younger generation. They enjoy going out and partying more instead of going to church. I usually go to church on Christmas Eve.
- Eric Laing
UK

Yes, that's true, especially among teenagers. I think it's because some ministers are a bit dull. I think it depends on the place and the person giving the sermon. I believe the only way to attract the younger generation is if the ministers become a bit upbeat. I also think parental influence plays a role. Besides, people have forgotten the meaning of Christmas. My grandsons, for example, think that Christmas is all about gifts.
- Mary MacLean
UK

The true spirit of the event has been forgotten.

Yes. Christmas now is all about people spending as much money as they can. It's about shopping and buying. These are all things that are not related to Christmas. People now want to make money, so instead of families getting together to celebrate, they end up shopping! Christmas is a time for family; to celebrate over a nice meal, enjoy snow when it snows ... it's a time for everyone to get together.
- Helen Hatter
UK

No, I think the spirit is still in the air. It's a great time to realise how fortunate and blessed we are. Christmas in Dubai is different but I still like it. I know many don't, but I do. I like the fact that shops are open and everyone is in business. I think everyone should celebrate Christmas the way they want and just enjoy.
- Jamie Black
Dubai

The spirit is still there. Families still celebrate together and friends go for parties. I don't think people have forgotten what Christmas is all about. We are in the season of giving and people still celebrate it the traditional way.
- Jocalyn Jagonob
Dubai

No, the spirit is not forgotten. Christmas is a happy time when you also make an effort to make others happy. It's a time to show others that you care. I know my family still celebrates it and enjoys it. Maybe for some expatriates who do not have any families here, it gets a bit lonely, but still I think the spirits are up.
- Darius Atmar
Dubai