I think I might be a freak
>> Friday, November 27, 2009
I enjoy the holiday season.
There. I said it. I know that many people find the holidays stressful or depressing. I get that. I understand and sympathize, but I just can’t empathize and I’m going to admit that I don’t think I want to. I wish the folks I know who feel this way didn’t, but I don’t feel obligated to participate in it.
I come by my enjoyment of this time of year naturally. My Mom loved Christmas. She liked decorating, she liked having the family around, and she even liked shopping (I definitely didn’t get that gene). We never really DID a lot; it was more about being together.
We’ve seriously simplified our holiday traditions over the years. We’ve disconnected from the gift exchanges, we only go to the events and gatherings we truly enjoy, and look forward to the handful of get-togethers that have become annual traditions.
I love seeing the neighborhood lit up and decorated. I love seeing the spirit of giving alive and well in my community. Yes, I wish it were that way all year round, but I can still appreciate that this season encourages it and be happy for it.
This weekend, we’ll decorate inside and outside the house. Monday morning I’ll put up my Christmas lights in my cubicle at work. I’ll pull out my cranberry cream cheese bread recipe and figure out when everyone will actually be at work on the same day so I can take some to share. I’ll take the long way home from work so I can drive around and see the decorations. I’ll say Thank YOU to the folks who work hardest at this time of year.
This year I’ve decided to stop fighting or trying to defend my feelings. They just are. Just like the feelings of those who don't like this time of year. I like the holiday season, some of my friends don’t. That’s fine – it would be a very boring world if we were all the same. That may mean I need to disconnect a bit, but that’s OK. I think I need to put holiday seasonal stuff in the same category as I do politics and religion. I absolutely refuse to discuss politics or religion with friends and co-workers. When those discussions or debates start, I simply remove myself from the conversation. I think I’m going to start doing the same thing with holiday hating. Just not participate in it. I’ll flip to my holiday playlist on the ipod and relax.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
11 comments:
That definitely doesn't make you a freak! The holiday season is meant to be joyous and exciting. I think you should be instead proud that you've held on to the simplicity of it rather than focusing on the hassle that bothers everyone else.
Definitely not a freak! I love the holidays, even though I have struggled with having to let some of the outside evidences of it go in order to do that. I'm a sucker for riding around looking at decorations; actually look forward to hearing Christmas music playing at the store starting today; and really love the sense of community that they can bring on.
I love that you honor your mother by enjoying the season she loved so much! Perfect!!
Are you kidding me?! I LOVE the holidays! You feel free to enjoy them all you want.
I love the Christmas season too, Suzi. The music, the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle . . . It's one of my favorite times of year.
I may not send out Christmas cards or decorate like I once did and I may prefer to spend the holiday with just my husband and animals, but that doesn't mean I am not filled with the spirit of the season.
I do need to get a move on with my Christmas shopping though. I've nearly decided what I'm giving all the family members--just need to get out and buy the actual gifts.
One thing I am not a fan of is Black Friday--too many grumpy and pushy people out there, elbowing their way to the good deals. I've seen fights break out over the last toaster oven in past years. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to take part though--many of my friends and family do.
I think it is AWESOME that you enjoy the holidays so much. Every year I am learning to let go of things and enjoy the holidays more.
I am looking forward to singing for the little old ladies at church, sending out my cards, listening to the music, and going to my sister's cherished MIL's house to enjoy Christmas dinner.
loading Mannheim Steamroller onto my iPhone as I type!
Count me in as a holiday 'freak'.
I never thought of people that loved the holidays as freaks.... :)
You're not a freak! Why would you think that? It's a great time of year. Admittedly, I alternate between feeling a little humbug and excited -- I have to work at making Christmas fun, but it's worth the effort.
This year, I'm a little hesitant to decorate because I don't want to add any hazards to my kitty's path. She's not going very far, but she does still run into walls after three days at home. We'll see. I'm sure I'll figure out something.
Thanks to all of you for making me feel a bit more normal. It's one of those things where negativity breeds negativity and when a group of people start talking about how awful or stressful the holidays are, I just start feeling like the odd person out. I'm glad I posted this. Y'all have made me feel much better and I'm glad to know the spirit of the season is alive and well.
Literary Feline: we let go of the obligation to send out Christmas cards last year. It was actually very freeing. I'm with you on Black Friday shopping too - you won't catch me near the malls that day.
Karen: you've made progress on letting go the have tos and focusing on the want tos. Keep at it my friend. Boundaries (as someone wise keeps telling me). Also - you really need to get Martina McBride's White Christmas on your ipod - beautiful classic renditions of holiday classics. It's my favorite holiday cd.
Bookfool: Oh I totally understand about backing off on decorating for the sake of the blind kitty. She doesn't need any roadblocks in the way of learning to make her way around the house right now. We're actually not putting up the big tree in the family room this year. The Hubster had knee surgery last month and just can't haul that big tree out of the attic and down the stairs this year. The little tree in the living room window will be sufficient this year.
Christmas used to be my absolute favorite holiday of all. Being a December baby, I was given a lot of ornaments as a little girl and have quite a collection of very unique and beautiful Christmas decorations for my tree. I haven't lost my enthusiasm completely, but it's just not the same as it used to be. I've decided to skip the tree and most of the decoration this year, since we'll be on Sanibel Island for Christmas. I'll put up the outdoor wreaths and lights (hopefully this weekend, if I can get over this cold!), and I'll do some baking to share with friends, neighbors and coworkers, but that's about it. I'm still on the fence about Christmas cards. We don't have a photo to include this year and everyone we send cards to keeps up with our lives via Facebook and my blog. So, really, what's the point? I still need to wrap and ship gifts. Hope to work on that this weekend. As I listen to my Christmas cds on my Bose.
I'm hopeful that this special holiday will someday have that magical feeling it once held for me -- maybe when my granddaughter can share it with me, Rod and Amy.
You're not a freak. :)
Les: It's hard to get all enthused about decorating when you're going to be gone. I stopped Christmas cards last year and haven't felt a shred of guilt about it. I hope you get to share the magic of the holiday season season with your granddaughter soon.
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