For most Germans, Christmas is and will remain a positive family celebration in 2011. The majority of Germans want to celebrate together with their family with a decorated Christmas tree, give each other presents and enjoy good food. This is the result of a recent study by the Foundation for Future Studies, an initiative of British American Tobacco, for which over 1,000 German citizens aged 14 and over were surveyed. The majority of Germans associate Christmas with a decorated Christmas tree (78%), spending time with family (71%), cosiness (67%) and visiting relatives (60%). However, the decorated shops (67%) in city centres and presents for Christmas (71%) are also associated with Christmas by the majority. By contrast, negative associations such as family arguments (7%), kitsch (17%) or shopping and errand stress (36%) are only mentioned by a minority of Germans.

Different perceptions of West and East Germans
Renaissance of Christian meaning on the horizon

The differences between the old and new federal states are striking. While in the east of the republic, cosiness (+7 percentage points compared to western Germany), the celebration of love or contemplation (+3 in each case) are emphasised more strongly, western Germans mention religious associations such as Christian holidays (+24 percentage points compared to eastern Germany), the birth of Jesus Christ (+28) or going to church (+23) much more frequently. Professor Dr Ulrich Reinhardt, Scientific Director of the Foundation: „West Germans in particular are rediscovering the original meaning of Christmas. The full churches on public holidays emphasise the Christian significance and this observation is also confirmed in a year-on-year comparison with 2010. Especially in uncertain times, people are reflecting and seeking the closeness of family and 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:

• Country dwellers often mention going to church, good food and snow, whereas city dwellers tend to associate Christmas with good conversation, decorated shops, but also peace and contemplation.
• Low earners (net income of less than €1,000 per month) cite love, cosiness and good food much more frequently than higher earners (net income of over €2,500 per month). The latter, on the other hand, tend to associate the festive season with donations and gifts, but also with kitsch.
• Within the middle phases of life (25 to 49 years), it is mainly families who mention bright children's eyes, but also the stress of running errands beforehand. Childless couples think of good conversations, love and cosiness, among other things. Singles, on the other hand, associate almost all of the terms listed with Christmas less often than people of the same age in other phases of life. They are only clearly ahead when it comes to thoughts of loneliness.
• Citizens with a migration background equate Christian motifs with Christmas with above-average frequency.
• Young Germans (under 30) often associate gifts with Christmas, but also mention kitsch most frequently. By contrast, gifts only play a subordinate role for the 55-plus generation - the Christian holiday and the birth of Jesus, going to church and making donations are of above-average importance within this age group.

Reinhardt concludes: „Germans associate Christmas with numerous images, rituals and customs. These vary in individual cases and depending on the population group. What unites people, however, are the positive thoughts about the festivities: Christmas is a time for something beautiful, far away from the daily grind and everyday stress“.