Christmas Spirit!

It's December now and I'm excited. This season has to be one of the best, overall, especially compared to last years. Last year was so dreadful and sad. I had to deal with one of the worst breakups ever. I consider it my first because out of all the flings and relationships, this one hit me hard. But we all learn from our relationships. I just hope that I don't have to repeat the same mistake several times until I actually figure it out. Even though it was established that it wasn't my fault. But enough of last year.

The holiday season in general is so jollyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! The lights, presents, christmas specials, toys, gifts, cookies, hot chocolate, friends, family, etc. Everything about Christmas is awesome and I love it. And so do many others. But why?

For me personally, I don't like Christmas because of the gifts. Gifts and presents are all fine and dandy, but ultimately are only materialistic and have little or no effect on my attitude or happiness. I've realized this ever since I was a kid. And it's not because of the Christmas specials that we all grow up with that teach us the cliche that Christmas is not all about presents. Well maybe that played some significance, but I learned that what I get/ receive for Christmas is a short term effect on my attitude. For example, I remember in high school when I didn't get anything particularly special, just clothes. I wasn't mad or anything, I was fine with just getting clothes (that was before I didn't like clothes). It never affected me in the long run and that made me realize that I wanted more things that I actually needed. Things that were more useful than some video game, movie, or CD that would probably collect dust in a few weeks anyway. Things like thermals, socks (which I desperately need), hypoallergenic bed sheet covers, an hdmi cable (feel free to get me these things because these are things which I currently need/want for Christmas).

Another reason why many hold Christmas to be special is because they find time to spend with friends and family. For me, this isn't the main reason why I particularly hold Christmas to be special, but it is a huge perk. I love spending time with my family, but I spend time with my family ALL THE TIME. Why is it so special during Christmas? I remember this being a cliche theme in the Rugrat Jewish special, I think, I don't remember actually. The point is, many believe Christmas to be sacred for this reason, spending time with loved ones. So therefore Christmas isn't particularly special because I get to spend time with my loved ones (imo anyway).

So why is Christmas so special to me? I don't necessarily care about the presents. The time I spend with my loved ones is not just during Christmas, it's all year-round and therefore not special. It's not because I give instead of receiving or whatever cliche Christmas theme you can think up. It's because during this time of the year, it's the time of year that I don't stress out as much. It's that time where I'm free from school and I don't have to worry about that bullshit and I can just sip my hot chocolate with no worries, watch Christmas specials, create Christmas playlists, play it super loud around the house, bake cookies, and then stay up til 4 talking bullshit with my siblings, etc. It's because I don't stress out as much. I find December, or more accurately winter break, to be the most calming, soothing, joyful, jolly time of the year just because of NO FUCKING FINALS TO WORRY ABOUT.