A recent survey reveals that less than half of children aged seven to 11 think Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.
Some 44 per cent thought it was about Jesus, while 29 per cent said it was about thinking of other people, and 24 per cent said it was about giving rather than receiving gifts.
The survey of 1,063 children for BBC's Newsround programme found 89 per cent felt excited about Christmas and 79 per cent happy.
But Christmas was not enjoyable for all young people, it found, with some saying they felt "cold", "tired" or "worried" at this time of year.
One in six of the youngsters surveyed said they felt sad, nervous or left out during the festive season.
Newsround presenter Ellie Crisell said: "Christmas is one of the most exciting times of year for children.
"But it can also be stressful. They worry about their families getting along, about buying the right present and, amid the festivities, feeling alone.
"It's never been harder or more important to protect the true magic of Christmas."
In addition, the survey found almost two-thirds of children saved their pocket money to buy presents for other people, and they tended to spend more on their mothers than their fathers.
The average amount saved by the children for presents was £34, and a third saved more than £50.
The survey was carried out by researchers ChildWise.
-
Genius with highest IQ in the world embraces Christianity
-
CofE bishop repents for failure to address grooming gang issue
-
There is a toxic side to conservative evangelicalism that needs to be brought to light
-
The Newsboys dropped by record label following Tait revelations
-
17,000 turn out for Franklin Graham event in London
-
Same-sex households on the rise in the US
Most Popular
related articles
The Truth about Christmas
The Truth about Christmas
Kirk Moderator Criticises Christmas Materialism
Kirk Moderator Criticises Christmas Materialism
Rev David Coffey Shares His Feelings Ahead of Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
Rev David Coffey Shares His Feelings Ahead of Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
Bishop of Liverpool Calls on Government to Ratify Human Trafficking Convention
Bishop of Liverpool Calls on Government to Ratify Human Trafficking Convention
News
The evidence for faith-based morals: the academic research that backs Christian family values
Research shows that lifelong marriage is good for all concerned
Wildwood Kin’s Meg Loney on how a 24/7 prayer meeting brought her back from the brink
Meg Loney went from the depths of drug addiction to being a follower of Christ bringing hope and healing to others with her music.
How going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit changed my life – for the better
In 2008, Wilson Femayi was wrongly convicted and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He had just graduated from Bible college. His arrest — the result of a personal vendetta — was a devastating moment. But even in that dark place, God was at work. Today, Wilson is the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Zimbabwe, leading programmes that are restoring prisoners and reuniting families across the country.
Christians in Africa face worsening violence, report finds
A new report from International Christian Concern (ICC) has revealed a disturbing rise in violence against Christians across parts of Africa, with Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Kenya experiencing a surge in attacks, abductions, massacres and forced displacements.