Imagine a Christmas from long ago...
It began with the purchase of a 'Radio Times', and the annual December task of sitting with a pen and circling the must watch programmes. The programme clashes were noted, and compromises made to ensure as much as possible could be watched. Once the programmes had been circled then time out of the house could be arranged; "Yes, we can visit your sister, but we must be back in time for.." and other similar discussions took place.