Smart homes, smarter holidays?

Christmas used to begin with a switch, a lighter, or a tangled string of lights. This year, for many households, it started with a voice command.

“Turn on the Christmas lights.”

“Play carols.”

“Preheat the oven.”

Smart homes transformed the holidays into a hands-free experience, with connected devices quietly coordinating celebration behind the scenes. Voice assistants, smart plugs, automated thermostats, and security cameras worked together to make homes feel festive, efficient and secure.

Devices from Amazon and Google acted as digital conductors, managing decorations, music, cooking timers, and even guest arrivals. Christmas lights turned on at sunset automatically. Indoor temperatures were adjusted based on how many people were in the room. Doorbells alerted hosts when relatives arrived early — or when delivery riders showed up late.

For families juggling travel, hosting, and year-end fatigue, the appeal was obvious. Automation reduced stress and freed time, allowing people to focus on food, conversation, and rest. In theory, smart homes made Christmas more human by handling the mechanical parts of the celebration.

But the season also exposed the trade-offs.

Smart speakers listened through laughter and arguments alike. Security cameras recorded not just packages but moments of family life. Homes became data-rich environments at precisely the time they were most intimate.

Privacy advocates warn that the holidays normalize constant surveillance. Devices that feel benign when playing music are still collecting usage patterns, voice data, and behavioral signals. Family gatherings — traditionally private, fleeting moments — now pass through corporate servers.