Dear Editor,

I wonder if it’s just me, or does the holiday season feel drastically different these days? Sometimes I attribute it to growing older — a natural fading of childhood wonder — but deep down I know it’s not just that.

Comparing my Christmas celebrations now to those of my youth, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss, as though the magic of the season has dimmed over time.

As a child, Christmas was my favorite time of year, filled with anticipation and joy. It wasn’t just about the presents; it was about the togetherness.

Christmas was synonymous with family reunions. I vividly recall the Christmas of 2018, when my aunts, uncles and cousins traveled from different places to gather at my grandparents’ home.

Those days were filled with laughter and love. We played hide-and-seek and “taya-tayaan” while the adults prepared our Noche Buena. At midnight, we all gathered to feast, and even after eating, we still had the energy to play and watch TV together until we fell asleep.

One of my favorite traditions was practicing songs and dances and then going caroling around the neighborhood. Those were the happiest holidays of my life, marked by simplicity, connection and joy that didn’t rely on material things.

Now, Christmas feels like just another day. I don’t know what happened, but everything seems different, as if the spirit of the season faded in the blink of an eye.

Reunions are rare, and the bustle of life takes precedence over togetherness. The warmth and excitement that once defined the season seem to have been replaced by stress, consumerism and an unshakable sense of distance.

Interestingly, I recently came across a report from the Social Weather Stations that confirmed what I’ve been feeling.

According to their survey, Filipinos’ hopes for a happy Christmas declined in 2024. Only 65 percent of respondents expected a joyful holiday this year, down from 73 percent in 2023, and significantly lower than the peak of 82 percent in 2002.

While the pandemic in 2020 caused a dramatic drop in holiday joy (with only 50 percent of Filipinos expecting a happy Christmas), the numbers haven’t fully rebounded. The survey also revealed that 10 percent expected a sad Christmas, and 26 percent anticipated it would be neither happy nor sad — just another day.

This shift isn’t just about expectations; it reflects deeper changes in how we experience the holidays. Modern life has brought challenges like busier schedules, economic pressures and the erosion of traditions that once held families together. Meanwhile, globalization and technology have connected us in unprecedented ways but have also left many feeling more isolated.

Still, it’s heartening to know that gratitude remains a bright spot in these changing times. Filipinos surveyed expressed thanks for good health (47 percent), family (25 percent) and simply being alive (24 percent).

Perhaps this reminds us that while the way we celebrate may change, the essence of Christmas — gratitude, togetherness and love — is something we can choose to keep alive.

But we can do more than just hold on to memories; we can take deliberate steps to revive the spirit of Christmas in our own lives. Let’s take time to reconnect with loved ones, no matter how busy life gets.

Let’s create traditions, no matter how simple, that will bring joy to the people we cherish. Most of all, let’s remind ourselves that the true magic of Christmas lies not in grand celebrations but in the small acts of love and kindness that make life meaningful.

If we can find ways to rediscover the joy of connection, perhaps Christmas can once again be more than just a passing day — it can be a season of hope and renewal, not just for us but for future generations to come.

Lexi Vidal

Nueva Vizcaya