Bah Humbug

Now, I think it should be obvious since I posted like a month ago about missing Christmas that I do in fact adore Christmas. I don't know that I would say that it's generally my favorite all time holiday (I have to agree with my brother - Easter is nice. Our family gets together, has a meal, goes to church, etc. It's like Christmas without the snow, the five pounds you gain, and - his personal favorite - the tree.) But this year, Christmas is my favorite because I get to go home, at least for a whirlwind tour of the States. Now, people have been plotting to ruin Annika's Christmas. No, no, no. Not people I know (besides my brother and his anti-tree stance), but strangers or near strangers.

They went around asking people on Kiwi MTV if they cared about Christmas. A lot of people said no. A lot of people said they hated seeing their families, that it was all contrived, that it was very consumeristic. Okay, all that can be true. Then, I saw the company Christmas tree up at work; I oohed and aahed and was shushed by some people around me. "I don't see why we have to indulge in this crap here." Gasp! Whose hearts are not melted by the sight of a lit Christmas tree that you didn't have to put up, decorate, or take down? Then, a co-worker pulled out the doozy: "It's just a holiday created by card companies." What?! I'm pretty sure Christians had something to do with it! (I'm being religiously open-minded, you see.) But take out God, the baby Jesus, and all that for a minute. Christmas can be wonderful. You see your family! You get to feel the bittersweet passage of time, pick out 'the perfect present' for loved ones, cozy up on a couch and stare at the Christmas tree at night, and wake up with a knot in your stomach about Christmas morning like adults don't often get the chance to do! I mean, there is a lot more in it for Christians, but even if you ignore that - take advantage! You know?

Now, maybe other people's families suck. Maybe they can't afford presents or decorations, and it serves as a reminder of poverty. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But I still say that it's what you make it. So we've got some choices in front of us: bitter about how commercialised Christmas has gotten, etc etc etc or enjoy the holiday.

I realise I may have gotten on my soapbox for nothing. Maybe it's a Kiwi mentality (can Christmas just not get 'picked up' like that?) and the people who read this (primarily non-Kiwis) are gung-ho about Christmas. But I think it's a nice reminder. Once the idea of Christmas risks being unattainable because you've thrown yourself on the other side of the world, it seems a little less about the ritzy quality of wrapping paper and more about seeing people you love.

End of soapbox. Promise. :)