Why not to be a Scrooge this Christmas!
Mission statement
Ok all you Scrooges out there. My mission today is to show why this time of year is so amazing. There may be a fair few of you who dread when the first Christmas song is heard, but there are so many great parts to it.
Remember!
I want everyone to think back long and hard as to how you used to spend your time over Christmas, the good memories you have of Santa Clause, and the magic of the idea of snow arriving Christmas morning. Don’t let the downsides of the time of year let you forget the true meaning, and the wonderment that enthrals throughout. It’s the best time of year – embrace it!
Early start
The worst thing for the shops to do however is to start bringing out the advent calendars and selection boxes in the middle of November, as it only angers those who dread it. A Christmas lover myself, I too believe this is a little bit too early, but I suppose it’s a good idea to start shopping early, as it doesn’t attack the bank balance as hard if it’s all done in stages.
Why people dread Christmas
I can name most reasons why any given human being screams when they realise Christmas is coming. One is of course the amount of money that gets spent overall and there is also the stress of hosting the Christmas dinner on the big day and having to endure family members you have not seen for years. They always ask questions that you don’t wish to answer, as you can’t answer in the way you want to. The ultimate however, mainly for women, is the worry of putting on too much weight. There are the many temptations; Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, chocolate advent calendars and selection boxes, and the many options lining the supermarket shelves as you wander past – there always seems to be so much more there than usual!
True meaning
Most people forget however the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a time of merriment, good will, giving, and the celebration of Christ. It isn’t a time for stress, anxiety, and debt. The religious side of the festival is greatly forgotten, due to the commercialism that surrounds us all. Children become enwrapped with getting the presents they want; therefore it is our job to make sure they remember the meaning behind Christmas.
The best parts
I love it myself, this time of year. The cosy atmosphere of a living room with a hot fire makes me feel safe, whereas the crisp mornings clear my thoughts and help me start a new day. The decorations that line the streets help bring the excitement to your tummy, and keep you company as you walk around shopping at night. When it’s time to decorate the house, my sister and myself jump at the chance to collect the boxes from the attic, and we spend hours setting up the miniature nativity play and placing ornaments on the tree. It’s something we can always do together, and allows us to have fun. The wrapping of presents is something again my sister and I do together. We put on our favourite Christmas films, get out all the wrapping paper and bows, and help each other wrap items if they are a bit difficult. What one of my ultimate favourite things though is when the Christmas adverts appear on television, with the songs – especially the Coca-cola advert: “Holidays are coming, holidays are coming!” It’s only Christmas when this advert comes on – it’s been said by many people.
Own private memories
I have many good memories of Christmas over the years, so I suppose I’ve been very lucky. I would always get the presents I wanted, we could lay down a mince pie and some milk for Santa on Christmas Eve and it would always be gone by morning, and most of all, my family would always be around me on Christmas Day. We’d spend hours together, opening presents, playing games, entertaining each other, and having a laugh. The only bad thing I remember is putting a staple through my finger whilst playing with a new stationery set I’d got that morning.
Changed your mind?
I hope I’ve given you a little food for thought here, and that you’ve been reminded that Christmas isn’t all that bad. I do admit that there is an awful lot of stress brought with it, but the bottom line is, I still find it magical.
