and she can’t afford it because she’s a single mum. I don’t agree with it, but it’s her decision so I don’t interfere.” Do today’s children understand the true meaning of Christmas? Helen: “I don’t think they do because a lot of parents aren’t raising their children to know what Christmas is really about. Even if families aren’t religious, the season of goodwill is supposed to be a time when you think about others and do something to help those less fortunate, not just about what presents you’re going to get. But many children don’t realise that because they haven’t been taught it at home.” Bev: “It’s an education that should start in the home but I don’t think it’s fair to completely blame the parents. A lot of mums I know absolutely dread Christmas because there’s so much pressure, not only to buy all the presents but also to make the house look nice, prepare food, entertain friends, go to all the Christmas parties and get everything done at work because they’re going
to be off for a few days. It’s become such a frantic time that it’s no wonder Christmas spirit sometimes goes out of the window.” Rosemary: “Yes I think a lot of people think of Christmas as something to ‘get through’ rather than to relax and enjoy, which is a shame. When I was little we’d all muck in with the chores so it was a family effort, but now a lot of kids just aren’t involved. Christmas is the perfect time to teach children about doing things for others and that can start in the home. Kids need to learn Christmas isn’t about materialism.” Do people’s attitudes to Christmas vary depending on where they live? Rosemary: “Yes, very much. I used to live in Leeds before I moved to York and the
comparison in how people interacted with each other at Christmas was
startling. In smaller villages and towns everyone comes together and looks out for each other. In the care home where I work we get food hampers delivered, which children at
the local playschool make for the residents. The kids don’t ask for anything in return, they do it as a gesture of goodwill. I think it’s very unlikely you’d find that in a city as everyone’s too busy to think of those outside their immediate circle.” Helen: “I agree. I live in a small village in Knutsford and we have a Christmas fete, which everyone goes along to. There’s a real sense of community and people donate to the local charities that set up stalls. City centres have big events when they switch the Christmas lights on, but I think they’re really just about getting people into town so they spend more money in the shops.” Bev: “Yes but they often have people collecting for charities at those events too. I think there are still people who live in big cities who do think of others at Christmas. One of my colleagues makes hampers for people who are underprivileged. But I suppose because people like that do it on an individual basis rather than as part of a community effort, it doesn’t really get noticed as much.” Has political correctness affected how we see Christmas? Bev: “I think it has because today we live in a much more secular