Christmas is a time of traditions. The way we celebrate Christmas is based in large part on our cultural and religious traditions.

For example my wife’s Swedish ancestors started a tradition of Julotta. This means going to church at 5 a.m. on Christmas Day. Of course, this tradition was started before parents had to stay up all night figuring out how to put the kids’ toys together.

So as times change, some of the traditions are abandoned and new ones take their places. For example, it used to be that a lump of coal is what Santa brought naughty girls and boys on Christmas; today, it is a Chia Pet. But it is technology that has changed our Christmas traditions the most.

The cultural icon of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Traditionally it was a real tree, selected by the family, lugged home, and lovingly decorated with homemade ornaments. Today, the tree comes in a box from Walmart and is preassembled, pre-lit, and already decorated with plastic ornaments. One version comes with LED lights that change color in a hypnotic rhythm likely to put you into a trance.

Another family tradition at Christmas was the singing of carols around a roaring fire while sipping eggnog. Today, the spinet piano sits unused in the corner while a karaoke machine leads the carols and the crackling fire is on a DVD that plays on the big screen television. At least the eggnog, laced with a little brandy, is still around to provide the warm holiday glow.

I remember my mother hand addressing Christmas cards to friends, relatives, and “those folks we only hear from at Christmas.” Today, hand addressed envelopes are as rare as $2 bills, and more and more Christmas greetings received as e-cards on your computer. Given the pervasiveness of social media including Facebook and blogs, the paper Christmas card may soon be added to the endangered species list.

As the holidays have gotten busier, time-consuming traditions have given way to convenience. Instead of battling long lines at the mall, you can now order your gifts online, and they will arrive pre-wrapped with a personalized greeting printed in an impersonal font on the package.

Likewise the holiday dinner, complete with all the traditional trimmings, can now be ordered in advance and picked up ready to eat on Christmas.

In days gone by, after the big meal, the kids were sent outside for ice skating or sledding. Today, they adjourn to the family room where they ice skate, sled, ski and do a half dozen other things with their Wii video games.

Have you noticed a pattern in the new traditions versus the old? The new traditions of Christmas are more expensive and less personal. For many, Christmas has become about doing things, having activities, and observing traditions without an understanding of the reason behind them.

Christmas is about people. The phrase “Peace on earth, good will to men” has been printed on so many cards that it has lost its meaning. Yet, it is what the angels said to shepherds on that first Christmas. So, this year, don’t let the tinsel and the technology set the tone for your holiday.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.