Careful: it’s Christmas
‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year. Probably.
Why?
Because today also happens to be Friday the 13th.
But maybe it’s not only the superstitious that should be mindful of the festive season.
Somewhere along the line, Christmas wishes have acquired a slightly menacing undertone. We have to like Christmas – or else!
Thankfully, most of us are not subjected to marauding gangs of tinsel-clad enforcers, checking to see if your advent calendar’s on schedule. Or if your door has sufficient swag (it’s a thing!). I’m talking about something a little more sinister: Christmas perfectionism.
In other words, if it’s not the most wonderful time of the year, you’re doing something wrong. Food, drink, presents, company, decorations, wrapping, occasion, music, table settings, nativities, friends, games, family, tradition… all need to be on point.
Oh, and it should feel amazing. For everyone.
Which, of course, is nonsense. But it’s something that the vast majority of us have seemingly signed-up to, despite not quite remembering when. We’re destined for festive failure, because it’s a ridiculously unrealistic ideal.
Unless of course, you choose otherwise. That’s right; I did say ‘choose’. A conscious Christmas reset can offset the upset. I present to you the Season of Acceptance:
- Give a little less than you can. Living within your means is not a crime.
- Eat a bit of what you fancy and treat yourself to a little more. Indulgence really isn’t mandatory.
- A Christmas get together doesn’t mean you have to be together all the time. ‘Peace and goodwill to all’ sometimes necessitates five minutes peace and quiet.
- Forget tradition. Do as you feel and the same goes for everyone else.
- Treat yourself to a bonus ‘13th’ day of Christmas. Use it how and when you like, with whoever you like.
- Stop writing lists. You simply can’t do everything and neither can anyone else. Rather, make do.
- Ignore social media on the 25th. By and large, if they’re posting it, they’re not really feeling it.
- Approach the big day in the same way as your pets: routinely, with some pleasant deviation.
Once you accept an imperfect Christmas, the prospect seems a little less daunting. Maybe even likeable. And if enough of us so choose, we might just reclaim some of the wonder.
#choosechristmas.
Will
Copyright © 2024 Will Hussey, All rights reserved