The following is from What’s Up In North Georgia a free takeaway local paper in the North Georgia area. The article is about a survey done on changing Christmas traditions. Certainly looks like Christmas has changed and will continue to unless….
Just a thought provoker.
New research conducted on behalf of the National Christmas Tree Association has shown a major erosion of key aspects of Christmas celebrations among U.S. adults since a similar survey conducted in 1996. “While participation in activities associated with commercial elements have remained about the same in the last 10 years, activities revolving around Christian values and Christian celebrations have dropped dramatically,” NCTA Chief Executive Steve Drake reported at the first annual Christmas Traditions Summit, held recently in St. Louis. The Summit is a conference of companies and organizations engaged in the Christmas holidays. “We have been concerned about changes in consumer attitudes surrounding Christmas and invited others who are involved in Christmas traditions to join us for discussions about trends and possible collaborative efforts.”
Among activities traditionally considered Christian:
1. Attending a religious service during the Christmas holidays declined 20 percentage points from 63 percent to 43 percent.
2. Taking time for religious reflection declined 22 percentage points from 57 percent to 35 percent.
3. Giving food, money or clothing to those less fortunate declined 15 percentage points from 68 percent to 53 percent.
4. Reading the Bible or other religious books declined 29 percentage points from 51 percent to 22 percent.
5. Volunteering for charitable activities declined 23 percentage points from 36 percent to 13 percent.
6. Play Christmas music that contains “Christian” lyrics declined 27 percentage points from 51 percent to 24 percent.
Meanwhile, among activities often considered commercial:
1. Exchanging gifts increased 8 percentage points from 77 percent to 85 percent.
2. Decorating a Christmas tree was about the same at 74 percent.
3. Decorating the home was about the same at 71 percent.
4. Sending greeting cards was about the same at 69 percent.
5. Attending Christmas parties was about the same at 56 percent.
Among other activities during the Christmas holidays:
1. Cooking a holiday meal declined 11 percentage points from 73 percent to 62 percent.
2. Making Christmas cookies, candy or deserts declined 9 percentage points from 61 percent to 52 percent.
3. Attending family gatherings remained about the same at 75 percent.
4. Play Christmas music remained the same at 68 percent.
