If you’re interested in the themes of this research and want to reflect on them further in your own time, here are some suggested discussion starters Gelf and I dreamed up earlier to help the flow of Christmas conversation, or fill that Boxing Day lull.
If you fancy sharing some of your conversations, feel free to email us at lucinda.a.murphy@durham.ac.uk, Tweet us @lucinda_murphy / @MyElfGelf / #TheFestiveLog or comment in the box below as you go!
THE FESTIVE LOG DISCUSSION STARTERS
Quick fire round the room warm up to get you started: What sorts of things come to mind when you think of ‘Christmas’?
What makes you feel ‘Christmassy’/in the ‘Christmas spirit?’ What does it really mean to feel ‘Christmassy’?
At what point do you usually start to feel Christmassy/or ‘ready’ for Christmas (if at all!)?
Do you have a favourite Christmas decoration/song/carol/food?
What was your favourite Christmas card/present/event this year and why?
What do you think was the most successful Christmas advert this year and why?
What is going to make [or has made!] this Christmas particularly special? Has this changed over the years?
What are you [were you] most looking forward to this Christmas?
What are you [were you] least looking forward to this Christmas?
How does this Christmas compare with previous Christmases?
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at Christmas?
Take the time to cast your mind back to your favourite Christmas/or Christmas moment. What was it like? Why does it stand out for you? Try the same for your most memorable Christmas/or Christmas moment. Is it the same one?!
What is the one thing you think you would miss at Christmas if it wasn’t there?
If you had to pick out one particularly significant moment over the Christmas period this year, what would it be?
If you had to sum Christmas up in three words, what would they be?
If you had to sum Christmas up in three emotions, what would they be?
What would you say Christmas means to you personally?
What, for you, is the true meaning of Christmas?
Lucinda's Log 
I am interested in how Christmas has evolved into something completely different to what the original holiday was supposed to celebrate. Christmas is most closely associated with excess, greed, overindulgence and spending. Christmas seems to start in October and for many people is effectively over by Christmas Eve, when another “build-up” to summer holidays begins. I should point out that I am not a religious person and on a personal level, enjoy the Christmas holidays as a time to be with family and be merry!
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