Gifts, cosiness, faith: what Germans associate with Christmas

For most Germans, Christmas is and will remain a positive family celebration in 2011 as well. The majority of German citizens want to celebrate with their families over a decorated Christmas tree, give each other presents and enjoy good food. This is the result of a current study by the Foundation for Future Issues, an initiative by British American Tobacco, for which over 1.000 German citizens aged 14 and over were surveyed in a representative manner. At Christmas, the majority of Germans think of a decorated Christmas tree (78%), spending time with the family (71%), being cozy (67%) and visiting relatives (60%). But also the decorated shops (67%) in the city centers and the gifts for the giving of presents (71%) are mostly associated with Christmas. Negative associations such as family quarrels (7%), kitsch (17%) or shopping and errands stress (36%) are mentioned by only a minority of Germans.

Different ideas of West and East Germans - Renaissance of the Christian meaning is emerging

The differences between the old and new federal states are striking. While cosiness (+7 percentage points compared to West Germany), the celebration of love or contemplation (each +3) are more strongly emphasized in the east of the republic, West Germans mention religious associations such as Christian holidays (+24 percentage points compared to East Germany) much more frequently Birth of Jesus Christ (+28) or going to church (+23). professor dr Ulrich Reinhardt, the scientific director of the foundation: “West Germans in particular are rediscovering the original meaning of Christmas. The full churches on the holidays illustrate the Christian importance and this observation is also confirmed in a year-on-year comparison to 2010. Especially in uncertain times, people reflect and seek closeness to family and to God.”

However, different attitudes are not only evident within the regions. The size of the town, income, family situation and age also play a major role in the question of what is associated with Christmas:

This is what country dwellers often call going to church, good food and snow, whereas city dwellers tend to associate Christmas with good conversations, decorated shops, but also peace and contemplation.

The low earners (net monthly income below €1000) mention love, cosiness and good food much more often than higher earners (net monthly income over €2.500). These, on the other hand, associate the festival more with donations and gifts, but also with kitsch.

In the middle phases of life (25 to 49 years), it is mainly families who mention the bright eyes of children, but also the stress of running errands. Childless couples think of good conversations, love and cosiness, among other things. Singles, on the other hand, associate almost all the terms listed with Christmas less often than Germans of the same age in other phases of life. Only when it comes to loneliness do they come out on top.

Citizens with a migration background often equate Christian motifs with Christmas.

Young Germans (under the age of 30) often associate presents with Christmas, but also mention kitsch most frequently. For the 55plus generation, on the other hand, gifts only play a subordinate role – within this age group, the Christian holiday and the birth of Jesus, going to church and donating are of above-average importance.

Reinhardt concludes: “Germans associate numerous images, rituals and customs with Christmas. These vary in individual cases and depending on the population group. What unites the citizens, however, are the positive thoughts of the festival: Something beautiful takes place at Christmas, far away from the daily grind and everyday stress”.

Source: Hamburg [ Foundation for Future Questions ]