Sir, – This Christmas, we indulged in a bit of nostalgia, reminiscing about the simpler times of the 1950s and 60s. Back then, Christmas meant a candle in the window, a sprig of holly on the mantel, and perhaps a modest gift of a knitted jumper or a new book.
Midnight Mass was as essential as the pudding, and the most advanced technology involved winding the clock to ensure the turkey wasn’t overdone.
After the guests had departed, and fuelled by leftover mulled wine, I turned my thoughts to the future. In 50 years, will Santa’s sleigh be replaced by drones? Will Christmas dinner consist of lab-grown turkey served on biodegradable plates? Will AI-powered trees suggest carols to suit your mood? And will holographic family gatherings make up for empty chairs at the table?
Between nostalgia and predictions, one thing seems certain: whether through holly or holograms, Christmas will always be about the same timeless gifts – family, generosity, and a good laugh at how wrong our predictions turn out to be. – Yours, etc,
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ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
