{"id":36055,"date":"2025-12-15T10:42:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1625ip.co.uk\/?p=36055"},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:42:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:42:29","slug":"what-does-christmas-mean-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1625ip.co.uk\/ku\/what-does-christmas-mean-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Noel ji bo te \u00e7i watey\u00ea dide?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Young People Share Their Experiences of the Festive Season<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many people, Christmas is a time filled with warmth, family traditions, and a sense of belonging. It\u2019s a season that often brings to mind home-cooked meals, shared memories, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But for many young people facing homelessness, Christmas can highlight the very things they are missing<\/strong>, security, family connection, stability, and home. This year, we wanted to shine a light on the realities of the festive season from the perspective of young people who have experienced homelessness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We spoke with five young people<\/strong> supported by 1625 Independent People<\/strong> and asked them what Christmas truly feels like. Here\u2019s what they had to say.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas and Home: What Does Christmas Mean to You?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

For some young people, Christmas brings mixed emotions, moments of connection but also painful reminders<\/strong> of fractured relationships.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

JJ, who now has stable housing after leaving a toxic home environment, described Christmas as something he continues to navigate carefully:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year I\u2019ve spent a bit of time with my family, but I keep it to a minimum. I think it\u2019s important to stay in touch, even when it\u2019s hard. But going back can be really difficult, there\u2019s a lot of judgement. They only see what you can\u2019t do, not what you can.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

For others, Christmas feels unfamiliar or even painful.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n Danni told us simply:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPainful, weird, sad. Being alone on my own for the first time.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Alfie shared that Christmas doesn\u2019t carry much meaning<\/strong> for him at all:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot much. I don\u2019t consider it, I don\u2019t feel festive.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And for some, like Laticia, Christmas still holds happy memories, but the day-to-day challenges make the season more complicated:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas has always been lovely for me, I\u2019ve always gone to my Nan\u2019s. But being on my own now, financially it\u2019s a struggle.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Avery summed up the feeling of watching Christmas unfold around her while not fully feeling part of it:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou see everyone at the Christmas market with their families, having a hot chocolate\u2026 and you just don\u2019t have that. It\u2019s sad because it\u2019s the one time of year you\u2019re supposed to feel happy and safe, and you just don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Challenges at Christmas: What Do Young People Face That Others Might Not Realise?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the strongest themes that emerged was loneliness<\/strong>. For many, Christmas magnifies the sense of being on their own.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Danni put it, <\/span>\u201cThe loneliness. And having no money.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Financial pressure<\/strong> was another recurring challenge, with young people feeling the weight of a season so centred on spending.<\/span>\u00a0 Laticia described how difficult this can become:<\/span>
\n\u201cFinancially I struggle. I have to go to the foodbank, and Christmas gets me down when it comes to money.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Housing insecurity<\/strong> adds an additional layer of stress. Even when accommodation is available, it doesn\u2019t always provide the stability or emotional space young people need. JJ reflected on this reality:<\/span>
\n\u201cPeople think if you have somewhere to sleep, you\u2019re okay, but you\u2019re not. You need space to figure things out, and emergency accommodation is only a stepping stone.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For others, the pressure to \u201cjoin in<\/strong>\u201d with Christmas traditions can deepen feelings of shame, especially when they\u2019re separated from family or unable to celebrate in the same way as their peers. Alfie explained how this can feel:<\/span>
\n\u201cSelf-isolation becomes normal. There\u2019s a lot of shame that comes with being away from family.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Emotional Impact: How Does It Feel Seeing Others Celebrate?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Seeing others enjoy Christmas, whether in person or online, can bring up complicated and often painful feelings for young people who don\u2019t have the same stability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Alfie, it can feel <\/span>\u201cpretty deflating,\u201d<\/span><\/i> especially when <\/span>\u201cit\u2019s always difficult to process the jealousy.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Danni shared a similar experience, describing how <\/span>\u201cit\u2019s depressing seeing everyone with their families. It doesn\u2019t feel fair.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Avery spoke about the deeper emotional weight<\/strong> behind these moments.<\/span>
\n\u201cAll you want is a stable home. Not just for Christmas, for every day. You feel jealous, and then sad. Sometimes you remind yourself it could be worse, but it still hurts.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

JJ reflected on how social media can intensify these feelings, creating a painful sense of comparison<\/strong>:<\/span>
\n\u2018\u2019You can have a lot of resentment seeing other people celebrate Christmas. Thinking \u2018everyone else has what I don\u2019t have\u2019 or \u2018it has worked out for them, why not me\u2019 Like looking at social media and everyone else\u2019s life is good, but not yours. The overall feeling is sadness.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Positive Support: How Does 1625ip Help During the Festive Season?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Amid the difficulties, young people also spoke about the support that makes Christmas feel a little brighter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>Activities, shared meals, and a sense of community<\/strong> all help bring comfort.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laticia shared:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good for me to go out and do things, like cooking. It helps me be more social.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Avery highlighted how even small gestures make a big difference:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cLast year we got a mini roast dinner in a little bag. We get food donations that help it feel like Christmas. And with 1625, there\u2019s always something going on, it still feels nice and Christmassy.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Danni told us how important consistent support is:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cMy social worker is amazing, helping me with food banks and things like that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Christmas in Three Words<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

At the end, we asked young people to describe Christmas in just three words<\/strong>. Their answers speak volumes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n