Let's Talk About Christmas

Let's talk about Christmas. 

Christmas has and will always be my favorite holiday. How could someone genuinely not adore Christmas and all the lights and sparkles that come with it? I don't know, but those people probably don't have a soul. Just saying. 

Christmas has always been a special time in my life, first of all because most of my life Christmas has been seen as a break from school and other yearly stresses. This is more than relevant this year, as I finally get two weeks off from school (and apparently my new manager doesn't want to give me any shifts, so maybe two weeks off from work too?). Christmas is a time to relax, spend time with the people close to you, and, of course, presents. Presents, yes. Even something so wonderful as Christmas has its downsides. Don't get me wrong, I love going out and finding things that I know my sister will love, or something that my parents wouldn't spend the money on themselves, or a gift that will show my boyfriend just how much I appreciate him. However, we live in a world where buying gifts has become a chore, an expectation. And frankly, I'm not down with that. 

This is the first year that I have been less than fortunate in the money department, and buying all these gifts for people who I feel are expecting something, is sorta horrible. It starts with just the family, then the boyfriend, then all of a sudden work is doing a secret santa, oh and now school is too, oh what do you know you've been invited to a dinner and need to grab chocolates that say "thanks for inviting me and making me dinner". Gifts have become just another thing, with gift cards on the rise, the lack of intimacy in the gift area has been increasing. Sure, I'll write a detailed list of what I want for Christmas, where to buy it, and what color. That's personal alright. 

Now, before I go on and on about my dislike for presents (because its not that I don't like presents, I don't like where the presents seem to be coming from), let me just say this: this year I challenge you to be creative. Say screw you to gift cards.Search don't settle. Make a card. Put a nice message in it. Remind yourself of the person you're shopping for. Remind yourself how much you love that person. And above all else, do not dread buying gifts for the people who are most important to you, take the opportunity of Christmas to show your appreciation and fondness. Do not let the crazy people in the mall alter the reason and motivation behind all things Christmas. Keep in mind that a starbucks card is something that everyone might appreciate, but a homemade card filled with loving words is somthing everyone would appreciate even more. Its the thought. Dammit, how many times do we have to say it. Enjoy your holiday shopping, please. Or, don't do it. Because that is not what this dang holiday is about.