Schoolchildren across the city are breaking up for their Christmas holidays, but not every child will be marking December 25 in the same way. The Evening Mail asked pupils from the Children's Express journalism programme in Birmingham to interview four very different youngsters about their expectations.
| My Christmas wish? For my mum and dad to get back together. |
PERSONAL DETAILS
Cara Duffus, aged 13, lives with her parents and brother in Selly Oak.
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
It's a celebration. It means getting presents and it's exciting.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES CHRISTMAS PUT PRESSURE ON YOU?
None really. I think Christmas is a bit too commercialised. It's all over the telly and radio.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY?
First I'll open my presents, then I'll have Christmas dinner with my family. It's a happy time.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH THIS CHRISTMAS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To get lots and lots of presents.
WHAT IS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST?
A television. The rest of my presents are going to be surprises.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU THINK YOUR PARENTS USUALLY SPEND ON YOU AT CHRISTMAS AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
About 200, I feel that's a fair amount.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Jodie Mawson, aged 14, lives with her mum in Northfield. She stays with her dad two nights a week. Jodie's birthday is on Christmas Day.
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
Presents. Some people do forget that my birthday is on Christmas Day as well. They realise afterwards that they have forgotten it and have to buy me a card or something.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES CHRISTMAS PUT PRESSURE ON YOU?
I have to save up money for presents and find time to go Christmas shopping for my family and friends.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY?
I will probably spend Christmas morning looking after and feeding my horse, then have a family dinner together and open my presents and go to a party at night.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH THIS CHRISTMAS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To win the lottery.
WHAT IS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST?
Clothes, CDs, things for my horse, money and some jewellery.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU THINK YOUR PARENTS USUALLY SPEND ON YOU AT CHRISTMAS AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
My dad normally spends quite a lot, about 200. I'm not sure what my mum spends but we've got two halves to my family so I tend to get a lot of presents.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Lorna Gladwin, aged 14, from Northfield. Lorna's parents are divorced, she lives with her mum but her dad lives nearby.
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
It's a bit depressing because I never know who to spend time with at Christmas but I usually spend most time with my mum.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES CHRISTMAS PUT PRESSURE ON YOU?
The money and time pressures are the worst. My mum doesn't have enough money to give me to get other people's presents so I never get their presents on time.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY?
I expect to be spending it with my dad this year but my mum wants me to go to a different town for Christmas. It seems a bit awkward but I've got used to it.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH THIS CHRISTMAS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
For my mum and dad to get back together.
DO YOU HAVE A CHRISTMAS LIST AND IF SO WHAT'S ON IT?
Yes, I've got my CDs, trainers, a CD player and videos on it.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO THINK YOUR PARENTS USUALLY SPEND ON YOU AT CHRISTMAS AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
I think my mum spends about 80 and my dad about 90 which is fair.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Heminder Singh Ahluwalia, aged 12, lives with his parents in Selly Oak. His family are Sikh.
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
It means a tree. We put up a Christmas tree but we don't have any presents because we don't celebrate it. We put the tree up on November 11 which is our Christmas. It's not exactly Christmas but it's our celebration and it's called Diwali.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES CHRISTMAS PUT PRESSURE ON YOU?
Everyone's too busy getting ready for Christmas, we don't get the chance to go out and do normal shopping. I get a bit bored.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY?
We're just going to have a normal day at home, nothing special. We'll have the Christmas tree up but that will be all.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH THIS CHRISTMAS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
It would be for peace. But if I did celebrate Christmas I would wish for a PlayStation 1.
WHAT IS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST?
I don't have one.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO THINK YOUR PARENTS USUALLY SPEND ON YOU AT CHRISTMAS AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
None because I don't receive presents, but we are going on holiday to Sweden.
About the team
This article was produced by Tom Willshire, 16, Andrew Hopkins, 12, and Laura Jacobs, 15.
