By Leah Matthew, Third Year Classical Studies
It's Christmas Day.
The Prosecco: popped.
The Turkey: devoured.
The Crackers: pulled.
The Television: On.
TV has quietly become the heart of Christmas Day for many families across the UK. The reasons are simple: whether it’s the aftermath of a few too many glasses, a need to halt Monopoly before war breaks out, or the anticipation of finally, possibly (definitely not) finding out what happened on the infamous Fishing Trip in Gavin and Stacey, television has become our festive companion. Christmas is a time for family, and sometimes, the best way to bond is through a shared screen. So why does television play such a key role on Christmas Day and does it threaten to overshadow genuine human connection?
Let's look at some numbers. In 2023, 5.9 million Brits tuned in for ‘The King’s Christmas Broadcast’, and 5.3 million for the ‘Strictly Christmas Special’. Somehow, 4.2 million people put time aside to watch ‘Michael Macintyre's Christmas Wheel’-Monopoly must have gotten THAT violent. The numbers speak for themselves: television is an integral part of Christmas Day.
During her 2017 Christmas Day Broadcast, Queen Elizabeth II described Christmas as ‘a festival of the home’. It is a day dedicated to loved ones. Christmas TV embodies this spirit, offering a unifying experience of comfort, laughter and possibly a few tears. It is a medium through which people can embrace British cultural identity and soak up the Christmas spirit without having to lift a finger.
The nostalgic element of Christmas TV is also an interesting one to ponder on. The word ‘nostalgia’ derives itself from the Ancient Greek ‘nostos’, meaning ‘homecoming’. So therefore, the experience of this phenomenon during Christmas can be deemed an inevitability of Queen Liz’s ‘festival of the home’. Families uniting to explore different narratives, through the rose-tinted spectacles of nostalgia. Christmas Day TV grants us the cherished treasure of collectively reminiscing on the old, even if it is for one day only. And who better to guide you through the labyrinth of the past than Uncle Bryn, Karen Brockman or the legend themself, Dr Who? It is no surprise that Monopoly gets benched in the TV's favour.
However, there’s a certain duality to the role of the television of Christmas Day. That box in the corner is more effective at turning people into stone than Medusa herself. We know that millions spend much of Christmas Day staring into the eyes of on-screen characters— but what about the eyes of the loved ones beside them? The ability to multi-task is mankind’s greatest lie, so being immersed in both the narrative on the telly and the narrative of your own ‘festival of the home’ can prove to be challenging. Since the Victorian Era, this day of festivities has been defined by human interaction. From too many cooks in the kitchen to not enough room at the table for everyone, it is people who make this day so special.
The ‘Uses and Gratifications Theory’ is a communication theory that explores why people use media, and what they get out of it. It explains that a reason people consume film and television is as a means of bonding with each other. When it comes to Christmas Day, television shouldn't be the star of the show. That darn Fishing Trip might have been all you've thought about since 2007, but Christmas offers so many other joys that deserve your attention. Don't let them sit on the sidelines like the abandoned Monopoly set—there's more to the day than what's on the screen. Embrace the family, the games, the stories, and the holiday cheer.
I spoke to 3rd Year Politics and Economics student Oliver Ball, who is on a year abroad in Seoul and is anticipating his first Christmas away from home. ‘I’m going to especially miss the warmth of family and the joy, comfort and nostalgia of the Christmas shows on TV in the background’. Unfortunately for many, the faces on the screen are their only family they’ll have that day and the only antidote for their loneliness.
Therefore, Christmas Day television in the UK is truly precious; when the bellies have popped, and the monopoly war is finally over, and all is said and done - put your feet up, Baileys in hand, and let your favourite characters do the talking. But remember, human connection is the true treasure of Christmas; don’t let this invaluable currency slip through the cracks of the couch.
Do you think the TV is a friend or a foe at Christmastime?
