So like… Christmas still exists. Obviously. The lights are up, Mariah is unavoidable, and Costco has been selling wrapping paper since October. But in a growing number of developed countries — including Canada — the vibe around Christmas has quietly shifted. Fewer people are celebrating it in a traditional way, fewer institutions are saying “Merry Christmas” out loud, and more folks are opting for neutral phrases like “Happy Holidays,” “Enjoy the season,” or the aggressively Canadian classic: “Have a good break.”
One big reason? Secularization. Canada has seen a steady decline in religious affiliation for decades, especially among millennials and Gen Z. Census data shows fewer Canadians identifying as Christian, and even fewer attending religious services regularly. For many people, Christmas isn’t about church anymore — it’s about food, time off, maybe skating, and pretending winter is fun. When belief fades, the language around the holiday naturally softens too.
Then there’s diversity, which is very much part of the Canadian brand. In cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, December includes Christmas, yes — but also Hanukkah, Diwali hangovers, Kwanzaa, and a whole lot of people who celebrate none of it. Schools, workplaces, and governments often default to neutral language not because Christmas is banned (it very much is not), but because inclusivity is the safer institutional choice. No one wants to be the HR email that accidentally causes a culture war.
And speaking of culture wars — let’s talk political polarization. While politics isn’t the main reason people skip Christmas, it’s increasingly affecting how people feel about it. Surveys in Canada and other Western countries show rising political fatigue and declining trust in institutions, media, and even family members with “different views.” For some people, Christmas gatherings now come with anxiety: Who’s going to bring up Trudeau? Carbon taxes? Israel-Gaza? The convoy? Again?
As a result, some Canadians are quietly opting out — skipping big family dinners, keeping celebrations smaller, or disengaging entirely. It’s not that politics killed Christmas; it’s that polarization has sucked some of the joy out of shared rituals. When social trust is low, even holidays start to feel like emotional labour.
Still, let’s be clear: Christmas isn’t disappearing. Canadians are still decorating, shopping, cooking, and taking the week off like it’s a national sport. But in public life, Christmas is increasingly framed as one winter celebration among many — less religious, more cultural, more cautious.
So yeah, fewer “Merry Christmas” signs, more “Season’s Greetings,” and a lot of people just trying to get through December without arguing at the dinner table. In modern Canada, Christmas isn’t canceled — it’s just… rebranded, slightly exhausted, and politely trying not to offend anyone. Very on brand, honestly.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
Where Christmas Feels Weird Now
