By Beth Axford
Whether you celebrate it or not, Christmas is a special holiday for many. It’s a time of rest and giving, for spending with family and loved ones… and for watching Doctor Who. Tradition is important during the festive period and Doctor Who on Christmas day has become just that for many families. Since The Doctor and Rose saved the Earth during Christmas 2005, we’ve been treated to a special festive episode every year.
Taking the prime time evening slot, families would sit down together filled with mince pies and turkey and enjoy an adventure through space and time. This year though, Doctor Who is embarking on a new tradition – the yearly special episode has been moved to New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.
Christmas can be difficult if you’ve lost someone. It can be difficult if you suffer with mental health struggles or family issues. Throughout all of my Christmases, and all of these difficulties, I’ve always been comforted by the Doctor Who Christmas special. It has been there to wrap its arms around me and tell me I’m not alone. It’s taken me on adventures and helped me escape when I’ve found the festive period hard.
No matter the contents of the story, the Christmas episodes are always based around one core theme: hope. This is exactly what I and many others need during the holidays, particularly on the big day itself. I spent Christmas day sick and alone, and I really could have done with that Doctor Who episode this year. Somehow I’ve been left feeling like my hope was taken away, or my only saviour around Christmas time had let me down. That is the importance of this show to me and many others.
In times like this, it’s easy to get upset with how the show changes when it means so much to us, or when things differ from its traditional way. But Doctor Who has lasted for 55 years for a reason – it thrives on change. In the words of the Doctor, ‘If things didn’t end, nothing would ever get started.’
Despite my feelings, I am very excited for a brand new adventure with team TARDIS on New Year’s Day. What better way to begin a new year than with my favourite form of hope – Doctor Who! Christmas may have been hard without it, but January will be much easier with it.
Am I upset with the lack of Who on Christmas day? Yes. But times change, and so must Who. We will begin 2019 with The Doctor and friends taking us on a brand new adventure. So begins a new tradition – New year, new Who.
What do you think of the move from Christmas day to New year’s day? Let us know @thetimeladies_
The Time Ladies 
I’m delighted. I never want ti watch tv xmas day, and struggle a bit with new year, so tbis year it actually feels like a special gift, to have The Doctor a bit later.
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I watch on iTunes, so I’d never get to see it on Christmas anyway. For that matter , I won’t get to see this on New Year’s. Christmas is a lovely tradition but I’m not upset. I wish we were getting some Doctor Who sooner than 2020, though….
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Great post! To me, Christmas is a time of family, friends and special treats. Doctor Who was one of those special treats. New Year is just another rest day on the calendar. Here’s to many new adventures in 2019!
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I’d become so used to watching Dr Who on Boxing Day that it felt very strange to have to wait until the 2nd of January to do it this year….
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