My Take on the Holidays and the Christmas Season

We all know that Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. We also know that that's not the way it works. It's about shopping and buying and more stuff. Television ads lead little kids to believe that everything they want will be theirs on Christmas morning and prompt everyone to hurry and buy more and more and more... mostly unneeded stuff. The commercialism of Christmas has most children believing that it's all about Santa and what he brings. Even families that are regular church goers, those who profess to remember that it's about the birth of Christ, shop till they drop to get that last perfect gift. People over-extend themselves financially at Christmas to lavish gifts on their children, many that will be forgotten by New Years Day.

Not everyone enjoys the wonders of the holidays. I'm one of those who doesn't. There were some years that were better than others but childhood holidays were usually filled with more distention than joy. One of those families. Try as I might, those memories follow me and cast a shadow over the festivities. Even though my family lives close, all of being together on a holiday is a rare thing.

Like many people, money has always been an issue. Where does the extra come from at Christmas when there is just enough the rest of the year? Kids have expectations and it's stressful to juggle dollars and know that they won't add up.

I don't Scrooge out on everything, however. For the past two years I actually put up a Christmas tree. And I do a lot of baking for friends and family. It's one way to show my appreciation for friends and co-workers. Lots of cookies with festive sprinkles and colors, packaged in holiday tins.

Traditions change as children become adults with families of their own. It seems that the wife tends to make the decision on where to spend the holidays and that's fine. It keeps the peace. I've never been one to tell my only child that he has to be here for a holiday. I let him know that he needs to do whatever works best for him and that means being with his children.

I do what I have to do to get through the Christmas season. I'll shop very little. I give the grandkids money to buy something they wanted and didn't get on Christmas morning. I'll bake. I'll decorate minimally. I'll even put up the tree. But mostly I'll be glad when it's over.