I stumbled upon a facebook group about how Christmas this year didn't feel like Christmas. Curiosity got the better of me, so I checked it out (didn't join though). The messages posted on the group wall and the discussion board had a few variations (too much media coverage of trivial issues, got school grades back, got dumped by boyfriend/girlfriend, no Christmas tree, no snow), but by far, most of the reasons posted revolved around getting smaller/fewer presents.
In a group of 52,187 members, I found only one post that wasn't self-centered. One young woman (bless her heart) posted that it didn't feel like Christmas to her because her family was too busy to do "secret Santa" activities for other people. To the 52,186 other people in the group I say, "suck it up buttercup!" Get over yourselves! I've got news for you, your Christmas is always going to suck if you're worried about the size, shape, and quantity of the presents under the tree with your name on them.
So many people compare adult Christmas to childhood Christmas and come out depressed. I saw one comment from someone complaining about how easy it was to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. You poor thing, I guess we all have our burdens to bear. I'm sorry, but the anticipation isn't the magic of Christmas. It's the magic of presents. Happens at birthdays too, there isn't anything inherently special about it.
So, where is the magic then? It is carefully and masterfully hidden in our actions for others. Some of the most memorable Christmases for me are the ones where I really had to work to do something for someone else. Whether it was saving up my money as a kid to buy a plush seal “stuffy” for my sister, or spending hours trying to draw or make something special, I remember the giving far more than anything I received.
To put it another way, Christmas seems to be the only birthday celebration where all the guests expect to receive presents and give nothing to the one having the birthday. If you really want to experience the magic and spirit of Christmas, then find something to do for someone else. You will find that the effort invested on your part is proportional to the “magic” you feel in return.
In short, if you’re waiting for the Christmas magic to happen, then get used to disappointment. If it needs to snow before it feels like Christmas for you, then move north. When you get there and are freezing in a snow drift, you’ll realize there is no Christmas spirit in the snow. You’re the only one who can make you feel the Christmas spirit, so stop blaming it on everyone else. Chances are, you’re not looking in the right place anyway.
So next year, instead of creating a “Christmas 2010 didn’t feel like Christmas” group on facebook, maybe you could take the time to do something for someone around you. Otherwise, settle in for a long string of disappointing Christmases because your tree will never be perfect, you’ll never get the “right” (or enough) gifts, it won’t always snow, and the economy could always be worse.
In a group of 52,187 members, I found only one post that wasn't self-centered. One young woman (bless her heart) posted that it didn't feel like Christmas to her because her family was too busy to do "secret Santa" activities for other people. To the 52,186 other people in the group I say, "suck it up buttercup!" Get over yourselves! I've got news for you, your Christmas is always going to suck if you're worried about the size, shape, and quantity of the presents under the tree with your name on them.
So many people compare adult Christmas to childhood Christmas and come out depressed. I saw one comment from someone complaining about how easy it was to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. You poor thing, I guess we all have our burdens to bear. I'm sorry, but the anticipation isn't the magic of Christmas. It's the magic of presents. Happens at birthdays too, there isn't anything inherently special about it.
So, where is the magic then? It is carefully and masterfully hidden in our actions for others. Some of the most memorable Christmases for me are the ones where I really had to work to do something for someone else. Whether it was saving up my money as a kid to buy a plush seal “stuffy” for my sister, or spending hours trying to draw or make something special, I remember the giving far more than anything I received.
To put it another way, Christmas seems to be the only birthday celebration where all the guests expect to receive presents and give nothing to the one having the birthday. If you really want to experience the magic and spirit of Christmas, then find something to do for someone else. You will find that the effort invested on your part is proportional to the “magic” you feel in return.
In short, if you’re waiting for the Christmas magic to happen, then get used to disappointment. If it needs to snow before it feels like Christmas for you, then move north. When you get there and are freezing in a snow drift, you’ll realize there is no Christmas spirit in the snow. You’re the only one who can make you feel the Christmas spirit, so stop blaming it on everyone else. Chances are, you’re not looking in the right place anyway.
So next year, instead of creating a “Christmas 2010 didn’t feel like Christmas” group on facebook, maybe you could take the time to do something for someone around you. Otherwise, settle in for a long string of disappointing Christmases because your tree will never be perfect, you’ll never get the “right” (or enough) gifts, it won’t always snow, and the economy could always be worse.
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