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According to a survey, young people are more likely to spend Christmas alone.

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Young people more likely to spend Christmas alone, study finds

One in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year.

The number of young people spending Christmas Day alone has doubled, according to new research that compares festive attitudes and behaviours in 2024 and 1969.

According to a study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, one in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year. That number has increased from one in 20 who said the same 55 years ago.

Findings of the study:
While the share of people aged 65 and over who said they would spend Christmas Day by themselves has remained the same since 1969 – 15% of over 65s – the number for other demographics has risen. The biggest increase was seen among the youngest surveyed, where one in 11, or 9%, of people aged 21 to 34 said they will be spending Christmas Day alone. Only one in 100 said the same in 1969. Also read | Christmas 2024: Spending holidays alone? Here are some tips to make it special

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Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, said the data indicates that Christmas now seems just a little bit lonelier and less magical than it was 55 years ago. “The proportion of people spending the day itself alone has doubled, we’re less likely to say we enjoy it, and a lot less likely to think parents should encourage their children to believe in Santa,” he said. “But this doesn’t mean we’ve given up on Christmas – indeed a large majority of eight in 10 still say they do enjoy it, and nine in 10 will spend it with family or friends.”

The research – which is based on two nationally representative surveys of UK adults aged 21 and over in 2024 and 1969 – is part of a series of studies updating survey results from decades ago to understand changes in Britain’s core beliefs and ways of living.

Other data found that 80% of people today say they enjoy Christmas, which has dropped slightly from 86% in 1969. A large chunk of Britons also believe that stores push Christmas and festive goods onto consumers far too early in the year, with 79% agreeing with that statement. Men have seen the biggest change in attitudes on Christmas in retail, with 81% of males surveyed saying Christmas goods are sold too early – up from 59% in 1969. The religious significance of Christmas has also dwindled in the UK, with 60% of people stating that Christmas is a family occasion, rather than a religious one. Also read | Christmas 2024: From hanging calendars to visiting cemetery, unique traditions and celebrations around the world

Christmas is about family or religion?
When asked 55 years ago if Christmas was more about family than religion, 53% of respondents agreed, indicating a decline in the Christian faith in Britain. As per the Office of National Statistics, 2021 census data shows that less than half of the population in England and Wales describe themselves as ‘Christian’. ‘No religion’ was the second most common response on the census, increasing to 37.2% from 25.2% in 2011. Also read | Merry Christmas 2024: Simple Santa Claus, Christmas tree drawing ideas for kids and classic poems for school

Professor Duffy said that while things have changed significantly in the world when compared with 1969, the collated data also shows that some things have not changed at all. “These long-term trends are also useful in reminding us that some things have remained the same, despite the huge changes seen,” he said. “1969 was the year man landed on the moon, John and Yoko staged their bed-in for peace, the death penalty was finally abolished, and our current King was invested as the Prince of Wales. “But even back then, eight in 10 were complaining that Christmas was too commercialised – exactly the same proportion as today.”

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Festival

When will the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela begin? View Shahi Snan’s dates, background, importance, and more.

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Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, from January 13 to February 26, invites pilgrims for purification and spiritual growth at the sacred Triveni Sangam.

Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest and most sacred gatherings in Hinduism, occurs once every twelve years. In 2025, millions of devotees will converge in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to partake in this auspicious event. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to cleanse themselves spiritually by taking a ritual bath at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati rivers. Here’s everything you need to know, from the event’s dates to its rich history.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Key dates for holy baths
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is set to begin on January 13, 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan, and will conclude on February 26, 2025, aligning with Maha Shivratri.

Important bathing dates:

Important Bathing Dates Occasion
January 13, 2025 Paush Purnima Snan (Opening Day)
January 15, 2025 Makar Sankranti Snan
January 29, 2025 Mauni Amavasya Snan (Royal Bath/Shahi Snan)
February 3, 2025 Basant Panchami Snan (Royal Bath/Shahi Snan)
February 12, 2025 Maghi Purnima Snan
February 26, 2025 Maha Shivratri Snan (Concluding Day)
These sacred bathing rituals, or Shahi Snans, are believed to purify the soul and wash away sins, making them the spiritual highlights of the event.

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Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 history
The origins of the Kumbh Mela trace back to Hindu mythology, specifically the legend of Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean. According to ancient scriptures, this celestial event was a collaborative effort between the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) to retrieve Amrit, the nectar of immortality.

During the process, a Kumbh (pot) filled with sacred nectar emerged. To safeguard it from the demons, Lord Vishnu, disguised as Mohini, seized the pot and fled. Along his journey, a few drops of the nectar spilt at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, making them holy sites for the Kumbh Mela. These four sites became sacred, hosting the Kumbh Mela on a rotating basis.

Significance of Maha Kumbh Mela
Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) holds immense spiritual significance due to its mythological roots and geography. It is home to the Triveni Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers—revered as one of Hinduism’s holiest sites. The Kumbh Mela follows a 12-year cycle based on the celestial positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.

The 2025 Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is especially rare, occurring once every 144 years. This unique alignment is believed to make it an exceptionally auspicious time for prayers and rituals. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the rivers, seeking purification and moksha (liberation). Beyond its religious significance, the Kumbh Mela reflects India’s rich cultural heritage, uniting millions in a grand celebration of faith, devotion, and harmony.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 key riruals
Shahi snan (royal bath): A sacred dip performed by saints, including Naga sadhus and spiritual leaders, in the holy rivers. It is believed to cleanse sins and bestow divine blessings.

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Sankirtan and bhajans: Devotees sing hymns, chants, and bhajans, filling the atmosphere with spiritual energy and devotion.

Yoga and meditation: Pilgrims participate in yoga and meditation sessions to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Spiritual discourses: Renowned scholars and spiritual leaders deliver sermons and philosophical talks, offering insights into religion, spirituality, and life.

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Lifestyle

While celebrating Christmas with Raha, Ranbir, Neetu Kapoor, and Shaheen, Alia Bhatt appears like an angel in a dress worth 1.4 lakh rupees.

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If you’re looking for a pretty, fashion-forward dress that you can post on Instagram, Alia Bhatt has got you covered. Have you seen her dress for Christmas?

Alia Bhatt’s quiet-luxury outfit proves less is more. The actor celebrated Christmas 2024 with daughter Raha Kapoor, actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor, his mother, veteran actor Neetu Kapoor, sister Shaheen Bhatt, and mom Soni Razdan and documented the special night in an Instagram post. Also read | Alia Bhatt poses with Ranbir Kapoor and little Raha in stunning red dress worth ₹6000 for Kapoor family Christmas lunch

Alia Bhatt’s dress has romance written all over it
Alia’s Christmas 2024 look is all about an ethereal silhouette; it looks relaxed, feminine, and elegant at once. The midi dress has a silver crystal-embroidered feather detail across one shoulder. Her dreamy and romantic one-shoulder dress by David Koma sells for ₹1.41 lakh on the designer’s website after a 40 percent discount.

Alia’s simple yet elevated look
In the face of colourful, maximalist looks this Christmas, Alia made a mark with her minimal style. Keeping in line with the inherent minimalism of the white dress, the actor radiated classic glamour with her soft, dewy makeup. She completed the ethereal ensemble with pearl earrings and a festive green and red hairband with Christmas trees.

Sharing photos of herself posing with her family, Alia wrote in her Instagram caption, “Under the twinkling lights, surrounded by love.. this is what Christmas feels like…”

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How to wear a white dress like a celeb
If you feel you could be thinking about Alia’s angelic Christmas dress for days, here’s how you can style the universally flattering and endlessly versatile white dress like another fashion-forward celebrity.

Earlier, actor Khushi Kapoor shared a series of pictures of herself wearing a maxi dress from a Lebanese-based label, Dalida Ayach. The strapless dress was white and featured a cinched-in waist mimicking a corset top. Like Alia, Khushi, too, had paired her white dress with pearl earrings, channeling old-world elegance.

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Fashion

The ‘ugly Christmas jumper’ that Katrina Kaif wore to her family vacation with Vicky Kaushal is actually rather adorable; it costs 38K.

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Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal believe in embracing #CoupleCore aesthetic. The Bollywood couple gets twinning right with bright and merry Christmas sweaters.

Christmas 2024 | The goal for Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal’s matching red and blue outfits was simple: look festive and appropriately attired without trying too hard (while still looking cute). Also, let’s get one thing straight: nobody actually looks ugly in the so-called ‘ugly Christmas sweater’. Also read | Christmas 2024: Manushi Chhillar, Tara Sutaria to Diana Penty and Bipasha Basu, Bollywood celebs spread festive cheer

Katrina and Vicky twin in ‘ugly Christmas sweaters’
Katrina Kaif added some serious Christmas cheer to her holiday pictures, which featured not only Vicky but also her sisters, including actor Isabelle Kaif. Katrina and her siblings’ red and black sweaters were merry, bright, and decidedly cool.

Even Vicky, who joined Katrina on a family holiday abroad, did not want to be caught wearing something neutral and got into the holiday spirit with a blue not-ugly-at-all ‘ugly Christmas sweater’. His blue sweater, with a dash of red and white, looks comfortable, cosy, and not too ostentatious; it’s perfect for getting one into the holiday spirit.

How much does Katrina’s sweater cost
Katrina’s red Christmas sweater will make you smile and is perfect for a family gathering around Christmas. From the Norway-based label, We Norwegians, it sells for $450 on their website, which is approximately ₹38,378. The sweater with oversized, boxy fit is the brand’s take on the traditional Norwegian knits, and is made using merino/cashmere yarn from Linisieme.

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It features a roll-neck collar and is perfect for wearing with a pair of high-rise jeans or ski pants for a relaxed and chic winter look. Plus it’s slightly cropped, which makes it great to pair with a high-waisted skirt as well.

Katrina’s We Norwegians sweater comes in a couple of different colours, but red and white are always a good idea on Christmas. As far as holiday sweaters go, this is cute, not cringe-worthy. This is one of those sweaters we wouldn’t mind wearing to an ‘ugly Christmas sweater’ party. It also makes for a funny gift if you know someone that’s obsessed with ‘ugly Christmas sweaters’.

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