How the Festive Season Is Changing—and What Community Looks Like Today

The festive holiday season has always been something I’ve looked forward to. Growing up, it felt bigger than just our immediate families. It was about people coming together—cousins, family friends, and sometimes multiple families, or even people who simply felt like family—planning trips and celebrations as one.

Holidays meant shared itineraries, long drives, crowded dining tables, eating far too much, and the kind of chaos that only happens when everyone is together. At the time, that sense of community felt natural and effortless.

Over the years, that has slowly changed. Families are more spread out, lives are busier, and lifestyles have shifted, all of which have affected how and with whom we celebrate. Festive seasons don’t always look the way they used to.

The large group trips and shared traditions have become harder to coordinate, and in some cases, they’ve quietly faded away. Technology hasn’t helped either, as constant communication and social media can sometimes make moments together feel less intentional, and far rarer than they once were.

Today, celebrations often feel more fragmented—spent in smaller circles, across different time zones, or with just our nuclear families, rather than long days together.

This shift made me curious about how others experience the festive and holiday season now. Has the spirit of community really changed, or has it simply taken a different form?

To explore this, I spoke to members of the community about what celebrations once meant to them, how they feel about those changes, and the ways they continue to create connections during the holidays today.

“Back in the days, during school times, I would be super excited for the December holidays. That’s when all of our families would get together, and we would plan trips to multiple hill stations in the vicinity—Kerala, Goa, Coorg, Ooty, etc.

My brother and I wouldn’t even sleep the previous day from all the excitement. Our exams would end, and we’d pack our bags the next day and leave. Most of our holiday vacations involved us all camping by a bonfire, enjoying songs and dance as a family.

But I think, as we grow older, we have different priorities and kind of merge out to make a place for ourselves in the universe. We’re all so spread out in different parts of the world that our planned ritual of year-end vacations never happens.

I’ve also come to realise over the years that for a well-deserved end-of-year break, I’d prefer catching up with friends over dinner and spending a week of vacation with family.

If given the chance, I would love to bring back the ritual of family vacations once a year back in India—going on long drives or taking long flights or train journeys, gossiping over the mundane and also arguing with our mum half the way, because what’s a family vacation without our mum’s pre-planning and cramming in early morning temple trips in an already packed itinerary?” [Laughs]

“Festivals and celebrations are really my favourite time of the year. I’ve always loved spending time with my family and close friends, and I cherish our traditions together.

However, festive community spirit has evolved meaningfully over the years, both within families and in society. In the past, celebrations were slower, more intimate, and centred around shared rituals that naturally brought people together.

Today, while life moves faster and traditions change, the essence of community remains. In my own family, we continue to honour what keeps us grounded—festive games, holiday movies, meaningful meals, and taking beautiful photos that become part of our shared history.

We also make it a point to celebrate with extended family, because creating a sense of belonging across generations is important to us. These traditions remind us that connection is at the heart of every celebration. And of course, with our dear friends—our chosen family—whom we cherish and spend quality time with, too.

At the same time, technology and modern travel have reshaped the way we celebrate. In the past, planning a festive trip meant relying on trusted tour companies. Today, everything is at our fingertips—from customising holidays to coordinating family gatherings without borders.

This shift has made celebrations more flexible, more personalised, and more accessible. Overall, the way we celebrate may have evolved, but the core spirit has not.

The true value lies in maintaining connection, embracing continuity, and creating meaningful traditions and moments, which is ultimately what brings communities and families together.

As a mother, I hold these family gatherings and traditions close to my heart. As my children grow, they will have memories of not only school and friends, but also quality family time—free of screens. Simple, traditional family bonding, which is priceless in this generation.”

“The spirit of community has definitely changed over the years, but it hasn’t disappeared. I think it has just evolved.

I do remember the time when the holiday seasons meant large, vibrant gatherings. Celebrations were not just immediate family but also included cousins, family friends, and even multiple families from the community.

Whether it was taking trips across Thailand or getting together for special events, it brought everyone together in a way that felt effortless. There was always shared laughter, meals, endless stories, and the joyful chaos of so many people under one roof.

For me, the festive spirit has always been about togetherness, whether shared in a big or small circle. So even though things have changed, the core feeling remains—the desire to connect, to celebrate, and to create memories with the people who matter.

Over the years, life has simply gotten fuller for everyone. Families have grown, moved, and settled into new work and school routines. Now, in my 30s, with children of my own and a home shared with my in-laws, my days look very different from the holidays I grew up with.

I still try to keep a balance between time with my in-laws, parents, siblings, and friends. Travelling or getting together is still so much fun, but coordinating big group trips or huge festive gatherings has become harder—though not impossible.

When those massive celebrations happen, they feel incredibly special. At the same time, I really appreciate the smaller but meaningful moments that come with celebrating in tighter circles.

Birthdays, conversations around the dining table, game nights—these smaller gatherings create space for deeper conversations. At the end of the day, it’s about priorities and the connections we choose to nurture.

As long as we’re together, in any form, the festive spirit is still very much alive.”