My family know not to get me any tech for Christmas. I can never

Host: The room is bathed in the soft glow of a cozy lamp, the evening outside quieting as the city transitions into night. The air is calm, almost peaceful, as if the world outside is taking a collective breath. Jeeny sits at the table, her hands wrapped around a warm mug of tea, but her gaze is distant, clearly lost in thought. Jack leans against the window, arms crossed, watching the street below, the soft hum of the city providing a backdrop to the stillness inside.

Jeeny: (breaking the silence, her voice thoughtful, but light-hearted) “You ever think about how we get so caught up in technology around the holidays? The gadgets, the new toys, the latest tech. It’s like we think we need to be connected to everything, all the time.”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but curious) “Tech around the holidays? Yeah, I guess people buy each other gadgets like they’re going out of style. But you’re right, it always seems to cause more stress than joy, doesn’t it?”

Jeeny: (smiling gently, her voice gaining a little momentum) “Exactly. I was reading something Peter Capaldi said, and it made me laugh. He said, ‘My family know not to get me any tech for Christmas. I can never get it to work, and it all becomes very tearful and pressurised.’ It’s funny, but also kind of relatable, don’t you think? How tech, something that’s supposed to make life easier, can sometimes create so much frustration?”

Jack: (pauses, a small chuckle escaping him as he processes her words) “Yeah, that sounds like my life. You get this great gadget or new device, and instead of it being something fun and exciting, it’s like a pressure cooker waiting to explode. Setting it up, making it work, troubleshooting—it becomes a whole ordeal. And it’s stressful.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her eyes bright with understanding) “Exactly. And isn’t it funny? Tech is supposed to make life more convenient, but often it does the opposite. We’re surrounded by all these devices, but we’re also constantly dealing with glitches, confusion, and that feeling of frustration when nothing works as it should. And during the holidays, when we just want to relax and enjoy our time with family, it often adds unnecessary pressure.”

Host: Jeeny’s words hang in the air for a moment, and Jack shifts his stance, his posture relaxing as he reflects on her words. The room, once filled with quiet energy, now feels more grounded in the shared understanding of how modern life can sometimes be too dependent on technology—especially around the holidays.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, more reflective) “I never really thought about it that way. We’ve become so used to tech solving all our problems, but in the end, it ends up causing more stress than it’s worth. Maybe the holidays are the one time we should step away from all of that, just focus on the simple things—family, conversation, being present.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle but with a touch of wisdom) “Exactly. Maybe the best gift isn’t a new gadget or device, but the chance to just connect with the people around you. To enjoy their company without worrying about whether your new tech works perfectly or if you’re staying connected to the latest trends. Sometimes, it’s those simple moments that really matter the most.”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his expression softer now, as if he’s coming to a deeper realization) “It’s funny how the more connected we get, the more disconnected we feel sometimes. Maybe the real connection happens when we stop worrying about the tech and just focus on being present.”

Jeeny: (nodding with quiet satisfaction, her voice calm and assured) “Exactly. It’s about the people, the moments, the shared experiences. Tech is great, but it shouldn’t be the center of everything. The holidays should be about celebrating what truly matters—not the gadgets, but the memories we make together.”

Host: The room grows stiller now, the quiet of the conversation filling the space between them. Jack turns away from the window, his posture more relaxed, his mind clearly processing the shift in perspective. Jeeny watches him with a gentle smile, knowing that sometimes the best moments in life happen when we stop focusing on the technology and start enjoying the simple pleasures. The world outside continues its steady pace, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that the holidays, and life in general, are best enjoyed when we focus on the connections that matter, not the devices that distract.