Like most families, we have developed a handful of traditions that we do over the Christmas period. These happen naturally, and can range from the films that are pulled out every single year, to the order in which we open our presents.
However, we’ve been doing these for years and years now, and I decided it was time to try something new. To come up with some new Christmas traditions that we could unroll this year, I turned my attention to ChatGPT.
The AI chatbot can be incredibly hit or miss with this sort of thing, but I wanted to see what it might come up with. Unsurprisingly, its list had the good, the bad, and the ugly. These were my favorite ones that it came up with.
ChatGPT’s Christmas traditions
The first-light breakfast
“Pick one morning in December to wake up early, before sunrise. Eat a simple breakfast together by candlelight, talk about the year ahead and watch the sun come up.”
In theory, this is a lovely idea, but it also feels very strange. I can’t quite imagine waking up in the pitch black, setting up some candles and eating our breakfast together while we chat about the year ahead.
Maybe that’s just our family but I can’t quite see anyone agreeing on this one. As nice as the watching the sunrise part sounds, the rest sounds slightly like a cult ritual more than anything.
Christmas Eve time capsule
“Every Christmas Eve, each person adds one item to a box: a note, drawing, photo, or short reflection. Seal it and reopen next year."
This is a simple, yet great idea. It can be hard to remember what has happened each year, but putting in a small memory to the box and reflecting on it together is nice.
Maybe we could do it over our candlelit breakfast as we stare at the sunset…?
The living room camp-out
“Choose a night to push furniture aside, build blanket forts, sleep in the living room and watch one family-approved holiday movie."
Not to say ChatGPT is copying me, but this is actually one of the traditions that we had when we were younger.
However, as a person approaching 30 heading back to see my adult parents, I can’t quite see this having the same magical effect. It is however a fond memory and one that is lovely for anyone with small kids.
The character lottery
“On Dec. 1, everyone draws a secret, nonsense character (e.g., “Victorian ghost with a phone,” “Elf who hates music”). You must lightly embody that character all Christmas Day without explaining it.”
This is one of those ideas that would be incredibly fun for about an hour, before becoming more irritating as the day goes along and people lose track of their characters.
However, I can’t help but say I’m intrigued to try it. Maybe this will be the one that I take from the list and see how much it drives my family crazy.
The judgment free zone
“One at a time, a person is allowed 90 seconds to state completely unchallenged opinions about something they care about. No arguments, no responses, just quiet nodding.”
This one can surely only end badly. ChatGPT suggests each one of us, one by one, talking about our seemingly most unhinged beliefs. While it sounds like a terrible idea, I can’t help but say I’m curious to see the outcome.
Christmas court
“Appoint one judge in a ridiculous hat. Anyone can bring a “case” against another family member for minor crimes committed during the year. Sentences must be funny, temporary and mildly inconvenient.”
ChatGPT seems to really want me to start an argument with my family. However, I can’t help but feel like this one is safer than the above choice.
Keep it lighthearted and voice some grievances at the Christmas table with the cover of a funny court situation… what could go wrong?
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