Footage of a teenage girl presenting her Christmas wish list via PowerPoint is proving divisive among viewers in the run-up to December 25.
Krystiana Tiana took to TikTok to share a clip of her daughter, Ava, delivering the presentation, and wrote alongside it: "Christmas lists in 2022."
The video, which was posted under the handle krystianatiana, has sparked plenty of debate on the true meaning of the festive holidays. It has already been viewed more than 14.8 million times.
There's no denying the fact that the way many Americans celebrate Christmas today is a far cry from the holiday's religious origins.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, just 46 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas as primarily a religious holiday. The same study also found that 56 percent of U.S. adults felt the religious aspects of Christmas are less emphasized in society today, compared with the past, though few were concerned by this trend.
However, while the religious significance is of decreasing concern, data suggests there is no abating the appetite for spending over the holiday season.
The 2022 Deloitte Holiday Retail Survey found that consumers were intending to spend an average of $1,455 over the holidays, despite many admitting to feeling the financial strain of economic conditions.
According to the survey, 37 percent of respondents said their financial outlook was worse. Despite this, 74 percent of those quizzed said they were planning on spending more or the same as they did in 2021.
@krystianatiana Christmas lists in 2022 😂 #christmaslist #christmas #daughter
♬ original sound - Krystiana
Spending concerns appear to have sparked much of the debate surrounding the video shared by Tiana to social media. In the footage, Ava can be seen standing in front of her parents, who are on the couch, and delivering an impassioned presentation.
"I now present to you, my Christmas list," she says on the clip. She then takes them through a couple of slides showcasing a selection of sneakers. Ava says each of the footwear items featured includes a hyperlink that takes them through to the website to buy them.
"You made it so easy for me," her mom jokes on the video. Ava then moves on to a series of slides including smartphones and speakers. One slide appears to show a perfume bottles, while Ava also showcases snack carts she would like as part of her bundle of Christmas gifts.
It makes for quite the selection of expensively priced items, something that was not lost on those watching the video online. One TikTok user, posting as annasvvcoolspam, wrote: "how do people get so much for christmas wouldn't even be able to get that phone nevermind the rest."
Lilliellen1 commented: "I literally don't understand why people spend this much at Christmas," with Mr.Radish writing: "am i the only one that doesn't want anything for Christmas?"
TikToker Bluish posted: "my family can't afford gas for hot water," while Bryson.4769 wrote: "I don't know why but Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas anymore."
Despite this, some defended the video as a harmless bit of fun. TheCarlinFamily commented: "Wow she is good!! This is a very great list," with chipgirlhere writing: "I LOVE THIS! We got a Ted talk & PowerPoint this year."
Newsweek has contacted Krystiana Tiana for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jack Beresford is a Newsweek Senior Internet Culture & Trends Reporter, based in London, UK. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
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