Has Christmas Changed in Line with Society Since the 1950s?

Article by Kate Banks. Edited by Cathy Humphreys. Additional Research by Emily Spencer.

At first glance it appears as though the British Christmas has altered very little in sixty years; we still play games, have a traditional dinner and place presents under a tree. However when examined more carefully, it becomes apparent that wider social shifts have occurred since the 1950s, which have shaped the way in which we celebrate Christmas today: The British Empire is a distant memory, the monarchy has lost much of its respect and influence and women are no longer confined to the kitchen, but do twenty-first century Christmas celebrations reflect this?

The Queen’s first Christmas speech in 1952 exemplifies the extent to which British Christmas traditions have transformed since the 1950s. The most telling sign was the Queen’s unabashed imperialism, promising to ’continue the work of her father and grandfather to unite the nations of the British Commonwealth and Empire’, a statement which seems very outdated to us now, especially considering that Britain began a programme of rapid decolonisation less than a decade later. It is further significant in that it symbolises a great shift in British attitudes. Our imperial past is something of an embarrassment to Britons today, yet mid-century it was almost universally celebrated and a source of national pride, illustrated by its infiltration into almost every cultural realm, from the Scouts to well known brands such as Imperial Leather.

However, whilst are attitudes toward the empire and even the monarchy itself have changed since 1952, it seems the British love of the Queen’s speech has altered far less than is perceived, achieving over twenty million viewers in 2009. Her domination of the annual winter ratings battle should not be underestimated in this age of digital television, perhaps suggesting that such festive celebrations are not as obsolete as is first supposed. 

The extent to which the Royal Christmas address has changed also suggests a monarchical transition into modernity. Whilst pre-1950s royalty were typically very distant and separated from their public, the Christmas speech allowed them to appear more approachable and human. Modern additions of the royal family opening presents have helped in this mission to appear more personable. Nevertheless, whilst large sections of the British public are undoubtedly still fond of the monarchy and tune in to watch the royal address every year, many more consider them out of touch with reality, with ostentatious displays of wealth imposed on them by the BBC on Christmas day only fuelling such opinions.

Another way in which British Christmas traditions have transformed since the 1950s is demonstrated by the changing role of women in relation to this holiday. Though women were enfranchised in 1928 and took on many traditionally male-dominated roles during World War Two, much of this hard-won ground was lost once the war was over. It was a widely held view that women belonged in the home and as such, they were expected to be ideal homemakers and gifted hostesses. There was no time when they were under greater pressure that at Christmas, with magazines such as Ideal Home and Good Housekeeping offering no end of advice on the perfect h’orderve or festive cocktail.

Although such magazines can be perceived as quaint and charming when viewed through fond eyes, they are also quite sad, as they convey how constrained women were in these years, both by men and by each other. They spent much of Christmas day in the kitchen, whilst the only role men were expected to fulfil was to stock and run the bar. While many women revelled in this responsibility, the fact remains that preparing Christmas dinner and indeed all household tasks was unambiguously considered to be a woman’s responsibility. Furthermore, whilst the “modern man” is now much more likely to assist with festive preparations, this is a rarity rather than the norm and women are still widely expected to fulfil traditional wifely duties, whilst simultaneously performing the same employment commitments as men do.

On balance, much has changed in Britain since the 1950s; the dissolution of empire and the increase in women’s rights unarguably a change for the better. However, whilst the survival of such traditions as the Christmas dinner and the Queen’s speech are harmless and should be celebrated, the excessive wealth of the royal family and the fact that women still have not achieved full equality are a much greater cause for concern. Christmas is undoubtedly a time to celebrate tradition, but it must be remembered that not all traditions are positive.

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