If it’s the most wonderful time of the year, why does everyone seem so crabby? Let’s face it, once upon a time the Christmas season (yes, I said C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, get over it) caused smiles, laughter and goodwill. So why all the frowns, hustling and bustling and general grouchiness? Heck, some of the people I’ve come across make the Grinch look downright jolly before his heart grew. Why is that?
Oh, you know the Princess has an opinion on that one, now don’t you? I think its because Christmas (omg, I said it again!) has become a competition of sorts. Yup, you heard me right. I said competition. Some folks have to outdo what they did last year. Others have to make sure their loved ones are impressed by their generosity. Still others are determined to get their kids the ‘it’ thing, regardless of cost or availability. It’s put a lot of pressure on people. And pressure equals stress and stress…well, stress will zap the goodie right out of goodwill.
I can’t honestly say I come from a generation where what was under the tree didn’t matter. I was the same as the next kid. Barbie camper vans, airplanes and groovy Barbies in tie-dyed purple outfits with fringe were expected to arrive via Santa’s sleigh when I was a kid. And then when I had kids of my own I wanted them to have just what they asked for, too keep Christmas magical, you know? And then there were the gifts for family, friends, teachers, etc. I didn’t want to look cheap, now did I? So yes Virginia, I’m just as guilty of the next guy as being sucked into the ‘gift performance anxiety. But…I wonder…
I wonder if back before department stores and office parties things were different. I wonder if people were just grateful to celebrate together, content to be thought of regardless of just what the gift was? Is that what all of those Christmas songs about joy and goodwill are talking about. Are they all based on a period of time before everyone was concerned about what other people would think?
Don’t get me wrong, I still love giving gifts that I know are going to be loved. Even ooh’ed and ahh’ed over. But every once in awhile I remember how giggly and happy we felt as kids when we went caroling. I remember loving to decorate the tree instead of doing it because it was expected. And I wonder just what needs to happen to bring those same feeling back to Christmas again.
I’m not crabby due to the time of the year, just the usual stuff that one deals with in relationships. And I have to say, second time round with both of us having kids is a whole heck of a lot harder than even the first one was.
I find that if I’m out in the public though, smiling lots, saying thank you and holding doors, etc. that people tend to smile back a lot more.
Hugs.