Why We're Skipping Christmas This Year

No, the Grinch hasn't struck another family. We're skipping Christmas this year for a variety of reasons. First, we won't have a Christmas tree this year because Christmas trees and 1 ½ year old toddlers don't mix. Nor is it a good idea to hang Christmas stockings by the chimney with care using 2 pound pewter stocking holders. Little hands and a curious outlook make Christmas decorations simply too dangerous right now.

We also won't be exchanging gifts amongst the adults on both sides of the family. The kids, yes. Adults, no. You can't completely skip Christmas when you have children, nieces, and nephews all looking forward to the excitement of the holidays.

My parents live in Rancho Bernardo, a community that was devastated by the recent California wildfires. While their house survived, many of the homes of friends didn't. When so many of our neighbors and friends need shelter, clothes, and furnishings not to mention all the other necessities and luxuries lost to the fire, it just doesn't feel right to exchange lotions, books, gadgets, candles, slippers, and other typical gifts. Instead, all of the adults will be donating what they would've spent on gifts to the wildfire victims' charity of their choice.

On the other side of my family, the Grinch might've reared his furry green head. This side wasn't affected by the fires but has decided to do away with gift exchanges because "none of the adults need anything and mailing gifts is a hassle." We've been drawing names for years however with just five adults involved across three families, the name drawing usually meant that each couple bought gifts for everyone except one person. That never made much sense to me but I went with the flow. I like giving gifts, have the funds to do so, and don't think it's a hassle to mail gifts but I'll go with the flow once again and quietly give my money to charity.

While it's unusual that three completely different reasons have come together to do away with many of my family's Christmas traditions, I have a feeling we're not alone in skipping Christmas. Merchants begin bringing out the decorations before Halloween is over and the fake Santas begin arriving before Thanksgiving. Much of the sparkle wears off when the Christmas holidays stretch for months. By the time Christmas finally rolls around, it's old news. Sometimes you need a break.

So, with a toddler already tearing my house apart, wildfire victims surrounding one side of the family, and another side of the family deciding exchanging gifts is a hassle, we're skipping Christmas this year.

This doesn't mean we've lost the spirit of Christmas. I'm looking forward to a simpler season and teaching my children about the real meaning of Christmas. While the shopkeepers and fake Santas are setting up shop even before Thanksgiving begins, we'll be figuring out charitable ways to spend our money and baking up new traditions this time around.