Christmas is a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Christians commemorate this event on December 25 in most parts of the world, or on January 7 in some Eastern Orthodox churches1. Christmas is also a cultural and secular holiday that is observed by many non-Christians, who participate in various traditions and customs such as exchanging gifts, decorating trees, singing carols, and enjoying festive meals2.
The word Christmas comes from the Old English term “Crīstes mæsse”, which means “mass on Christ’s day” 3. The ‘X’ in Xmas is an abbreviation for Christ, derived from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christós, the Greek word for Christ 3. The date of December 25 was chosen by the early church in the fourth century, possibly to coincide with the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia or the winter solstice 24. However, the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown and not recorded in the New Testament 2.
The celebration of Christmas involves various religious and secular activities. Christians attend church services, read the biblical accounts of Jesus’ birth, and sing hymns that praise God for sending his Son into the world. Some Christians also observe Advent, a season of preparation and anticipation for Christmas that begins four Sundays before December 25 5. On Christmas Eve, many Christians hold a vigil or a midnight mass to welcome the birth of Jesus. On Christmas Day, many Christians exchange gifts as a reminder of God’s gift of Jesus and the gifts that the wise men brought to him 6.
Christmas is also a time of joy and festivity for many people around the world. Different countries and cultures have their own ways of celebrating Christmas, influenced by their history, geography, and traditions. Some common elements of Christmas celebrations are:
The Christmas tree: A decorated evergreen tree that symbolizes life and hope. The tradition of bringing a tree indoors and adorning it with lights and ornaments originated in Germany in the 16th century and spread to other parts of Europe and America .
The wreath: A circular arrangement of evergreen branches, flowers, ribbons, and candles that represents eternity and God’s love. The wreath is often hung on doors or windows as a sign of welcome and goodwill .
The star: A bright object that represents the star that guided the wise men to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The star is often placed on top of the Christmas tree or displayed as a decoration .
Santa Claus: A mythical figure who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. He is based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop who was known for his generosity and kindness to children . Santa Claus is also called Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa. He is usually depicted as a jolly old man with a white beard, wearing a red suit and hat, and riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer .
The stocking: A large sock that is hung by the fireplace or near the bed, where Santa Claus fills it with candy, toys, or other small gifts. The origin of this tradition is unclear, but one legend says that Saint Nicholas threw gold coins into the stockings of three poor sisters who needed money for their dowries .
The mistletoe: A parasitic plant that grows on trees and has white berries. It is hung from the ceiling or doorway as a symbol of peace and love. People who stand under it are expected to kiss each other .
The candy cane: A hard candy stick that is shaped like a shepherd’s crook and has red and white stripes. It is often given to children or used as a decoration. It may represent the shepherds who visited Jesus or the purity and sacrifice of Jesus .
The carol: A song or hymn that expresses joy and praise for Christmas. Carols are often sung by groups of people who go from house to house or perform in public places. Some popular carols are “Silent Night”, “Joy to the World”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” .
Christmas is a special occasion that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and his message of love, peace, and salvation for all people. It is also a time of family, friendship, generosity, and gratitude. Whether you are a Christian or not, I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year! 🎄🎁🎅
Christmas Trends 2023 – Here’s what’s going to be hot for this year
Planning on trying something a little different this year? Our Christmas trends guide has got you covered as we hear from the experts.
Christmas time is all about beautiful decorations, bursts of colour and of course making you feel cosy, after all, the festive season is the one time of the year most of us go all out. Our trends guide will give you an insight as to what will be popular for gifts, colours and themes for your home and much more.
So let’s hear from the experts below:
Kate from Madison and Mayfair says: “There is a variety of Christmas trends this year ranging from the classic farmhouse Christmas look, which would tend to include such things as wreaths, natural Christmas trees and a touch of gold dust alongside hand-woven wicker tree skirts as they are traditional, natural and bang on trend.
However, there is also the option of a classic Christmas which would include items such as red ribbons, gold tinsel and of course a cosy throw that is perfect for that Christmas day film. Whilst talking about cosy, Natural colours in the range of browns and greens, together with soft neutrals, are matched with wood, bark, and raw metals. Sheepskins and white flurry textiles complete the cozy feel of this look.’
Madison and Mayfair Cozy Throw
Alexander James Interior Design says: “Bold and bright with tassels galore. More is more is one trend but also we are all about sustainability this year so expect lots of vintage, homemade and locally sourced craft items too.”
Alexander James Interior Design
Pippa, Christmas party planning specialist at Fizzbox told us: “Christmas Opulence – You can’t go wrong with traditional festive décor, but why not make it that bit more decadent this year by adding some sparkle and incorporating red and gold accents? Opt for metallic baubles in glittery gold and champagne to add a touch of glamour, using the red to add a pop of richness.
Make sure your wrapping paper matches this gorgeous colour scheme too to keep with the theme. Also, consider styling with rich, luxury fabrics, such as velvet, satin or silk. These materials can be used for anything and everything from pillows and curtains to table runners. As for table settings, we’d recommend a beautiful centrepiece, fine china and crystal glassware.”
Christmas Dinner Table Setting
I see a definite swing towards gifts that give back. People want value for money, and as conscious consumers, they’re keen to see some of that hard earned cash going to good causes. There are loads of websites out there that cater to this growing market, we’re not just talking about charity shops here. You can now spend your cash and choose which charities or organisations will benefit from your purchase, which is a win-win for everyone says former BBC Journalist and current owner of eco gift website Boostology Martin Gerhard.
Ryan McDonough at Myjobquote.co.uk says: “With the cost of the living crisis affecting homeowners all over the country, we can expect to see an increase in homemade decorations and craft decorations this year.
Christmas Craft
In addition, homeowners will be looking to add a bit of glitz and glamour to their homes for the festive period. With this, luxury metallics are expected to be a major trend this year. Jewel tones and luxury embellishments with metallic shades such as bronze, gold, and champagne will reign supreme this year.
Rustic trends in homes are increasing in popularity. With this, we’ll likely see the return of the farmhouse Christmas trend. This trend features things like vintage ornaments, red berries, flocked trees, and pine cones.”
Rustic Christmas
Home and lifestyle product website, Ivylinegb, said its new collection (which you can have a sneaky peek here at) has a mistletoe design theme running through it and many items which perfectly meet the Scandi-chic trend that is so popular at Christmas. Other items have more folklore feel to them, such as the velvet tree skirts, and these tap into the ‘Folklore Floral’ trend the brand is already seeing emerge.
Ivyline Christmas 2023 Decorations
James Mellan-Matulewicz, Creative Director of Bobbi Beck said “Sustainable decor is being adopted this Christmas,” Switching out plastic for more natural materials such as recycled wood, organic cotton and even biodegradable ornaments can make all the difference to your home and the environment.”
It creates a cosy and welcoming space which is what Christmas is all about.
Birch Tree Christmas living room - Bobbi Beck
Crafted homewares are perfect for Christmas. Creating your own Christmas crackers is a lovely way to save money and get the kids involved as a fun activity.”
Lifestyle
Christmas 2023: Experts predict the bestselling toys for this festive season
Nostalgic 90s toys are expected to make a come back...
Headshot of Susanne NorrisBY SUSANNE NORRISUPDATED: 01 AUGUST 2023
Christmas is a magical time for all the family. Whatever your age, it's an opportunity to catch up with loved ones, reflect on the year and - of course - exchange presents. But for children, it's a truly special time and a chance to get their hands on the toys they've been hoping for.
If you have a little one in your life and aren't too sure what to get them this year, we've spoken to top industry experts to find the toys every child will want; be it LEGO, soft toys or games. Here's everything you need to know...
best christmas toys
CARMEN ORDONEZ
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What toys will be bestsellers for Christmas 2023?
John Lewis has released its expert prediction of all the toys set to be the most popular this year, and it looks like 90s classics will be back with a bang.
Experts at the retailer forecast that nostalgic toys such as Furby and the oh-so-popular Barbie will take the top spots. The retailer also predicts that imaginative play and storytelling toys are set to be huge this year.
Describing this year's top 10 toys, Alan Wright, Toys and Books Category Lead at John Lewis says: “We value the importance of imagination and want to ensure our smallest customers have the opportunity to experiment through creative-play. The top ten toys offer something for every kid, no matter what they would like to be when they grow up. From a barber shop set and mix and learn DJ table to John Lewis’ very own wooden café set." The retailer also adds that price-point is a huge focus this year, "with over 1,500 [toys] available for under £20."
To compile the final top 10 predicted bestsellers, John Lewis experts spent months sourcing and testing toys before handing over their selection to a panel of kids aged between five - 10, to see just how much they enjoyed them.
These are the top 10 toys John Lewis has predicted to be bestsellers this year:
Gabby’s Dollhouse Girl Doll
Barbie Convertible Doll Car
Le Mieux Puppy, Cockapoo (available soon)
Melissa & Doug Barber Role Play Set
John Lewis Wooden Café Set (Available end of September)
Fisher-Price Mix and Learn Music Table (Available beginning of August)
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
Hasbro Furby
Lego Holiday Main Street
Scalextric John Lewis vs Waitrose Car Racing Set (Available September)
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Gabby’s Dollhouse Girl Doll, £14.99
Gabby’s Dollhouse Gabby’s Dollhouse Girl Doll, £14.99
SHOP AT AMAZON
CREDIT: GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE GIRL DOLL
Barbie Convertible Doll Car
Barbie Barbie Convertible Doll Car
£21 AT JOHN LEWIS
CREDIT: BARBIE
Barber Role Play Set
Melissa & Doug Barber Role Play Set
£35 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: MELISSA AND DOUG
fisherprice laugh learn mix learn dj table activity centre
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table Activity Centre
John Lewis
£54.99
SHOP NOW
JOHN LEWIS
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
Little Live Pets Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
£60 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: LITTLE LIVE PETS
Hasbro Furby
Hasbro Hasbro Furby
Now 13% Off
£65 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: HASBRO
Lego Holiday Main Street
LEGO Lego Holiday Main Street
£90 AT JOHN LEWIS
CREDIT: LEGO
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What Barbie toys will be bestsellers for Christmas 2023?
The Barbie film is certainly set to impact Christmas sales for 2023 — with the sales of the iconic doll already proving popular.
And now, Mattel (the makers of Barbie) have revealed what Barbie dolls and play sets will be the most popular for Christmas this year. There's a range of classics in the mix — alongside the new Barbie Dreamhouse!
These are the top 5 toys Mattel has predicted to be bestsellers this year:
Barbie Dream House
Barbie Dream Boat
Barbie Cutie Reveal
Barbie Dream Camper
Little People Barbie Dream Plane
Barbie Dream House
Barbie Dream House
Now 51% Off
£170 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: AMAZON
Barbie Dream Boat
Barbie Barbie Dream Boat
£64 AT JOHN LEWIS
CREDIT: BARBIE
Barbie — Cutie Reveal
Barbie Barbie — Cutie Reveal
Now 33% Off
£22 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: MATTEL
Barbie Dream Camper
Barbie Dream Camper
£93 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: AMAZON
Little People Barbie Dream Plane
Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Dream Plane
Now 25% Off
£30 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: MATTEL
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Mattel has also released its predictions for which other dolls will be popular, including gifts from Disney and Polly Pocket:
Monster High Skulltimate Secrets
Disney Frozen Ultimate Arendelle Castle
Disney Princess Magical Adventures Castle
Polly Pocket Pollyville Resort Roll Away
Monster High Doll and Fashion Set
Monster High Doll and Fashion Set
SHOP AT AMAZON
CREDIT: MATTEL
Disney Frozen Ultimate Arendelle Castle
Disney Frozen Ultimate Arendelle Castle
£75 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: MATTEL
Disney Princess Magical Adventures Castle
Disney Princess Magical Adventures Castle
Now 14% Off
£190 AT AMAZON
Polly Pocket Pollyville Resort Roll Away
Polly Pocket Pollyville Resort Roll Away
£60 AT VERY
CREDIT: VERY
What LEGO toys will be popular for Christmas?
John Lewis and Mattel are currently the only retailers that have shared their predictions for Christmas 2023. But, Good Housekeeping will be keeping you updated as more predictions are revealed. In the meantime, why not take a look at some of the most popular toys from last year...
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LEGO proves time and time again to be one of the most popular toy brands in the world. In fact, according to research, more than 400 million people around the world have played with LEGO bricks in their lifetimes!*
Needless to say, LEGO is sure to remain popular this year. But, just what LEGO toys will be on every child's wishlist? Good Housekeeping asked the brand for its top predictions last year and this is what it told us...
These are the top 10 toys LEGO has predicted to be bestsellers this year:
LEGO Technic Monster Jam Megalodon
LEGO Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Starfighter
LEGO Minecraft The Nether Bastion
LEGO DOTS Big Message Board
LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America
LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Peach Starter Course
LEGO Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Visit
LEGO Marvel Iron Man Armory
LEGO Friends Andrea's Theatre School
LEGO City Express Passenger Train
Monster Jam™ Megalodon™
LEGO Monster Jam™ Megalodon™
£18 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Starfighter
LEGO Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Starfighter
Now 40% Off
£30 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Minecraft The Nether Bastion
LEGO Minecraft The Nether Bastion
£30 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO DOTS Big Message Board
LEGO DOTS Big Message Board
£40 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America
DUPLO® LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America
$55 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
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LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Peach Starter Course
LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Peach Starter Course
£55 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Visit
LEGO Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Visit
£80 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Marvel Iron Man Armory
LEGO Marvel Iron Man Armory
£80 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Friends Andrea's Theatre School
LEGO Friends Andrea's Theatre School
£90 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO City Express Passenger Train
LEGO City Express Passenger Train
£140 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
And, it's not just children that enjoy playing with LEGO. Be it to embrace creativity or relive nostalgic experiences, there are plenty of teenagers and adults who enjoy playing, too.
To reflect the trend of adults buying and wanting to be gifted LEGO, the brand also revealed to Good Housekeeping its top 10 predictions for Christmas last year that would be popular with adults:
LEGO Icons Botanical Flower Bouquet
LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian Helmet
LEGO Ideas Sonic The Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone
LEGO Star Wars Inquisitor Transport Scythe
LEGO Icons Vespa 125
LEGO Architecture Great Pyramid of Giza
LEGO Art The Rolling Stones
LEGO Icons Transformers Optimus Prime
LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car
LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3
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LEGO Icons Botanical Flower Bouquet
LEGO LEGO Icons Botanical Flower Bouquet
$60 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian Helmet
LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian Helmet
$70 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Ideas Sonic The Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone
LEGO Ideas Sonic The Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone
£70 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Star Wars Inquisitor Transport Scythe
LEGO Star Wars Inquisitor Transport Scythe
£90 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
lego
LEGO Icons Vespa 125
LEGO
£89.99
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LEGO
LEGO Architecture Great Pyramid of Giza
LEGO Architecture Great Pyramid of Giza
$130 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Art The Rolling Stones
LEGO Art The Rolling Stones
£130 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Icons Transformers Optimus Prime
LEGO Icons Transformers Optimus Prime
£180 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car
LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car
£160 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3
Lego LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3
£390 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
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Should I order toys online for Christmas this year?
Not everyone enjoys shopping on the high street. For some of us, shopping online makes things feel easier, more manageable and less overwhelming. So, it's understandable that some people will choose to buy toys online for Christmas.
Not sure what to order? Amazon released the following predictions last Christmas With great value toys being a priority for the retailer, Matthew Redfearn, Toys Category Leader at Amazon UK, said: “In a year where less is more for many families, we are offering options for all tastes and budgets this season, including tens of thousands of toys under £20 across Amazon, so our customers can find that perfect gift this Christmas."
These are the top 10 toys Amazon predicted to be bestsellers:
Squishmallows Toy
Pictionary Air Star Wars Family Drawing Game
Learning Resources MathLink Cubes Numberblocks
CRAYOLA Colour 'n' Style Mermaid Friends: Hair Braiding Salon Playset
Throw Throw Avocado by Exploding Kittens
PLAYMOBIL City Life Recycling Truck
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
Jurassic World Ocean Protector Mosasaurus Dinosaur Action Figure
Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit
LEGO Friends Horse Show Trailer
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Squishmallows Warner the Blue Elephant
Squishmallows Warner the Blue Elephant
£30 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: SQUISHMALLOWS
Pictionary Air Star Wars Family Drawing Game
Mattel Games Pictionary Air Star Wars Family Drawing Game
Now 45% Off
£15 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: PICTIONARY
Learning Resources MathLink Cubes Numberblocks
Learning Resources MathLink Cubes Numberblocks
Now 19% Off
£21 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: LEARNING RESOURCES
CRAYOLA Colour 'n' Style Mermaid Friends: Hair Braiding Salon Playset
Crayola CRAYOLA Colour 'n' Style Mermaid Friends: Hair Braiding Salon Playset
Now 44% Off
£15 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: CRAYOLA
Throw Throw Avocado by Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Avocado by Exploding Kittens
Now 28% Off
£18 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: EXPLODING KITTENS
PLAYMOBIL City Life Recycling Truck Toy Set
PLAYMOBIL City Life Recycling Truck Toy Set
£35 AT SELFRIDGES
CREDIT: PLAYMOBIL
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
Now 14% Off
£30 AT AMAZON
Jurassic World Ocean Protector Mosasaurus Dinosaur Action Figure
Jurassic World Ocean Protector Mosasaurus Dinosaur Action Figure
£30 AT AMAZON
Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit,
Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit,
£28 AT AMAZON
LEGO Friends Horse Show Trailer
LEGO Friends Horse Show Trailer
£90 AT LEGO
CREDIT: LEGO
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What toys will make good stocking fillers for Christmas?
For Christmas, you may be looking for toys at the lower point of the price spectrum, due to the ongoing cost-of-living issues.
In its Top Toys Set to Dominate 2022 Christmas Wish Lists from last year — Argos has its bestsellers for Christmas: with five options coming in at less than £20.
Explaining its predictions, Fay Williams, Head of Toy Buying at Argos, said: “With the cost of living on customers’ minds, we wanted to make sure that over half of our top toys were under £50, so parents can still make this time of year special without spending beyond their means. We offer a wide range of toys, top toys and beyond, ensuring there is something for every child, regardless of their interests or passions."
Of the 15 toys that made the list, five of them would set you back less than £20:
Chad Valley Dinosaur Waterfall Bath Toy
Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups
Squishmallow
NERF Elite 2.0 Ranger PD-5 Blaster
Pokemon TCG: Tin
Chad Valley Dinosaur Waterfall Bath Toy
Chad Valley Dinosaur Waterfall Bath Toy
£10 AT ARGOS
CREDIT: ARGOS
Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups
Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups
Now 44% Off
£10 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: PAW PATROL
squishmallows marybeth the octopus
Squishmallows - Marybeth the Octopus
Argos
£18
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ARGOS
NERF Elite 2.0 Ranger PD-5 Blaster
Nerf NERF Elite 2.0 Ranger PD-5 Blaster
Now 25% Off
£12 AT AMAZON
CREDIT: NERF
pokemon tcg tin
Pokemon TCG: Tin
Argos
£19
SHOP NOW
ARGOS
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What educational toys will be most popular for Christmas?
Educational toys are great for children of all age groups. From sensory toys for toddlers to counting games for school age children to fidget toys (a type of sensory toy that can help with concentration) for older children and teenagers, there are so many options to choose from.
Good Housekeeping has analysed research from expert retailers to predict which educational toys will be most popular for this Christmas, from coding kits to fidget toys...