I understand why the powers that be arranged for three major holidays to take place within just over a month – at least in my humble little western world – during the bleakest and most degrading part of the year. Psychologically, it’s meant to distract us from the fact that we’re getting less and less daylight every day, and the end of winter is yet nowhere in sight. But the sheer amount of frenetic activity that accompanies the “holiday season” seems unintuitive at best. Biologically, our bodies are meant to shut down a little bit for the cold months, hibernation-style. That’s why we want to sleep more, eat lots, and generally laze about this time of year. Is all the rushing about really necessary?
Over the last few years, I’ve found that a few key protocols have helped me to get through it all in a sane and orderly fashion.
- I am working on getting really, really good at saying NO to invites. Especially Evites, which are the scourge of the electronic world, as far as I’m concerned. Of course, you can’t say no to them all. But let’s be honest, is anyone really going to miss you at that party? Chances are, not so much. I avoid the extraneous get-togethers. Granted, I am an introvert, but a hot bath and a hot toddy beats a loud, energy-sucking Christmas party any day, in my book.
- I don’t buy Christmas presents. I made this radical shift a few years ago, and wow, did it free me up to be able to actually appreciate Christmas. I know we’ve all gotten this message from countless made-for-tv Christmas specials over the years, but it doesn’t seem to have stuck with our culture as a whole: it’s not about the presents! One day, maybe when I’m retired, I’ll have the time to custom-craft a homemade gift for everyone I love in the world, but in the meantime, it’s so freeing not to take part in the consumer frenzy. Sorry, economy.
- I do get a Christmas tree. I’ve weighed the environmental impact and the fire hazard against the joy a Christmas tree brings, and joy won. Try falling asleep under a Christmas tree just once, and you’ll see what I mean.
- I wallow in sleep. This morning I slept until 10a.m. – a good 11-hour stint. And I did not feel bad about it, nor did I allow myself to wonder (as I usually would) whether maybe I am coming down with some sort of sleep cancer.
- I eat basically whatever I want, again, without guilt or concern. At some point, the pendulum will swing back and I’ll feel like exercising again. Self-discipline is an overrated virtue anyway.
One last thing – I do love Christmas. I really do. But it’s a lot easier to love without all the baggage, stress, guilt and same that ordinarily accompanies it.
