Like when I was a kid, seeing all the holiday decor around the neighborhood, the stores, the streets, always felt cozy. I don’t get that feeling anymore. I get the memory of it, but not the actual feeling. I don’t think I got jaded but maybe I did. What about you?
I’ve cut problematic family out of my life, so what’s left is cheerful lights and hearty food and meaningful gifts, cards, and get-togethers.
I used to rail at the commercialization, but Christianity adopting a pagan holiday tainted whatever spirituality it had, if any, from the beginning.
I’ve even come around on the encroachment of Christmas on other holidays after watching an Extra History video essay on Christmas. The long buying season was meant to give retail staff a break instead of working them to death the two days before Christmas.
It also has its origins as a more rowdy holiday similar to Halloween of going door-to-door and demanding food and partying (“wassailing” in case you ever wondered what that meant).
I like it as an excuse to wind down the year, cheer yourself and others up during long winter nights, connect with friends and family, and indulge in some retail therapy for yourself and others.