One of the most popular, most celebrated holidays is coming around the corner–but are some traditions changing with the new innovations of AI and the rapid growth of technology? Whether it’s shopping for loved ones, putting up decorations, sending Christmas cards, or hosting celebrations with family and friends, technology has changed every tradition, whether it’s for better or worse.
With Black Friday kicking off the holiday shopping spirit, everyone is out looking for Secret Santa gifts, White Elephant presents, and simple gift-giving ideas for their loved ones. But the real question is: do people even go out to malls anymore? Major online companies like Amazon make buying gifts easier, with direct shipping and thousands of options to order from. Rather than wrapping gifts themselves, people spend a little extra money to get their orders pre-wrapped, turning gift-giving into the click of a button. And when someone is stumped on what to get another person, many people choose the safe route and grab a gift card. Now, people may even just email an e-gift card the night they’re exchanging gifts, with new technological advancements playing an immense role in how people give presents.
As December 25th gets closer and closer, people start putting up wreaths, lights, and other decorations inside and outside their homes. But rather than dedicating a whole morning to get on the roof to put up decorations, yard projectors and holographic displays save people the trouble of climbing a ladder, since putting up these digital decorations takes very little effort. While most people still put up string or LED lights around the house, once the lights are up, people no longer need to walk outside every night to turn them on. Instead, app-controlled lights allow colors to be changed while remaining energy efficient.
Christmas cards have been a tradition in the U.S. for many decades, as families send cards to distant relatives through regular mail. But with the internet, cell phones, email, social media, and e-cards, this tradition has changed for many families. Now, people can easily text their loved ones happy holidays, which might disappoint some but saves families the trouble of buying, writing, and mailing cards.
One of the best parts of Christmas is getting together with family and friends in person to share laughter and make memories. Even if a family lives far apart, people usually make the effort to travel and sometimes even fly to celebrate this joyful holiday with loved ones. But now, with the increasing cost of travel and other inconveniencies, technology steps in to bring people together. With video chat apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom, people have virtual dinners and share toasts online. Grandparents can even watch their grandkids open presents at 8 a.m. and see them get tucked into bed at night, all through a screen.
So while technology has made shopping cheaper and easier, decorating less of a hassle, sending e-cards just a click away, and connecting with loved ones more convenient, it may not feel as traditional as Christmas did many generations ago. Some people love the advances technology has brought to the holiday season, while others don’t, craving in-person celebrations with Christmas cards displayed throughout the house and hand-wrapped gifts under the tree. Technology has definitely made an impact on the world, and even if some haven’t realized it, it has brought a huge impact to the holiday season.
