The Christmas of 2025 in American homes is not like it used to be.

Carols still play on the radio, but the atmosphere is different from before.

While there are many talks about the rising cost of beef in the U.S., a lot has truly changed.

Looking at Christmas photos from 1975, you see a large tree in the living room, families gathered on the sofa, tables overflowing with turkey and ham, and children lying on the floor tearing open presents. Korea also had a similarly warm but modest scene.

However, the Christmas of 2025 has seen all of that disappear. So, let's discuss what has changed in the current Christmas landscape of 2025.

The first change is the sight of families sitting together on Christmas evening, each looking at their own phones. In 1975, the phone was attached to the living room wall, and when it rang, the whole house would shout, "The phone is ringing!" But in 2025, even if the family is sitting on the same sofa, they are connected to different worlds. The father is watching NFL highlights on YouTube, the mother is scrolling through cooking videos on TikTok, and the children are watching game streams. They may not talk to each other, but this is the atmosphere of a 2025 Christmas dinner.

The second change is in the nature of Christmas gifts. In 1975, toys, bicycles, sweaters, and hand-knit scarves were the main items. In 2025, cash, gift cards, and subscription services take center stage. A one-year Netflix subscription, Spotify, game passes, and even "I'll pay for this on your behalf" subscription vouchers are gifts. Instead of tearing open presents under the tree, children log into accounts on their phones and say, "Thank you." The tree remains, but the real gifts come and go online.

The third change is the breakdown of the Christmas dinner structure. In 1975, Christmas dinner was an event in itself. Roasting turkey, slicing ham, mashing potatoes, and simmering sauces turned the kitchen into a battlefield all day long. In 2025, delivery apps are the main chefs. Chinese food, tacos, Korean fried chicken, and sushi all share the same table. Even while sitting together for Christmas, the main topic of conversation is, "Where did we order this from?"

The fourth change is the job insecurity of Santa Claus. In 1975, children truly believed in Santa. By 2025, children believe in AI, YouTubers, and the metaverse, but they don't really believe in Santa. By the age of five, they already ask, "Did Mom and Dad buy this?" So nowadays, Santa has become more of a figure that entertains adults than children. He appears at company parties, mall events, and as a character for photo ops.

The fifth change is that Christmas has become less of a family event and more of a vacation management project. In 1975, everyone gathered at home. In 2025, "Some are in Mexico, some in Florida, and some are staying home." It ends with a group chat saying, "Let's video call on the 24th." Christmas is no longer a day to meet but a result of scheduling.

Looking at it this way, Christmas in 2025 is undoubtedly a completely different world from 50 years ago. Instead of warm smells, Wi-Fi flows, and under the tree, there are more notification messages than wrapped boxes, and family gatherings involve taking photos and immediately dispersing to their phones.

Yet, people still look forward to Christmas. The way it is celebrated has changed, but the feeling of taking a moment to breathe at the end of the year, checking in on each other, and saying, "You worked hard this year" still exists in our society. Ultimately, the essence of Christmas remains, while only its appearance has changed to fit the times.

If Christmas in 1975 was a night of conversation by the fireplace, it seems that Christmas in 2025 has become a night of scrolling next to a charger.