Why Are Christmas Memes So Relatable?

Christmas memes are relatable because they draw humorous contrasts between traditions/expectations and reality. While Christmas is a magical time of year, full of happiness, love, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, family, and friends, it can also be a great source of stress. Christmas memes reassure people they aren't alone in their feelings by making light of how fraught the festive season can be.

Some Christmas memes are funny because they relate Christmas to well-established cultural phenomena. For example, many merry memes feature nods to popular films, music, or politics, to name just a few. The quick recognition of an image or short clip, alongside a few written words, allows for a quick joke or pun to be communicated instantly.

Creating Your Own Christmas Memes

While the existing Christmas memes are great, why not try creating your own new meme for the holiday season? Today, anyone can easily make memes. Free online tools, such as Canva, Imgflip, or a range of available apps, have everything you need.

Try using your own photos and include funny captions with some tried and true text from popular Christmas memes. If you’re looking to really show off creativity and wit, invent some unique captions.

Once you’ve created a perfect merry masterpiece, it could be featured as your 2024 Christmas card. You could also share it online via social media — you never know, your funny festive meme may just become this year’s viral sensation!

A Brief History of Santa Claus

As a Christian holiday, Christmas is intended to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, many people around the world secularly celebrate Christmas.

For instance, Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klass, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas) is arguably one of the most recognized symbols of Christmas. Surprisingly, he, too, is related to the Christian faith; you will notice some parallels between him and Jesus.

According to History, Kris Kringle’s origins can be traced back to 280 AD in Patara (modern-day Turkey). A monk named Saint Nicholas was well-known for his kindness and for giving up his wealth to travel the countryside to help the poor and sick — sound familiar?

Saint Nicholas’ reputation and popularity quickly spread across Europe; he even became the patron saint of children. By the 1770s, Dutch families living in New York introduced the man in red to America.

America’s current version of Father Christmas emerged in the early 1800s; he was featured in advertising for Christmas shopping. By 1890, The Salvation Army began dressing unemployed men in red suits to collect money for charity — a tradition that continues to this day.

With his foundations in religion, jolly old Saint Nick is now a mainstay of Christmas celebrations worldwide for Christians, some other faiths, and even those who are secular. 

With the twinkle in his eye and his eight tiny reindeer, Father Christmas gives children a little extra sprinkle of magic during the holiday season. He also helps parents ensure children behave with his naughty and nice list.

The True Meaning of Christmas

As Linus stated in A Charlie Brown Christmas, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” While Linus actually quoted the Christian Bible, most people will agree that the message of peace on earth and kindness towards others transcends all religions and beliefs. Sometimes, simply sharing a Christmas meme can help spread a little goodwill to others.