Now that the big day is approaching, I'm almost trampled in the city by stressed Christmas shoppers who are rushing around like crazy chickens with something ravaged in their eyes. There's hardly any talk about anything other than what to do for Christmas, what to eat and what to buy.
Relating to Christmas is something I have struggled with for many years to understand what it is we celebrate and why you should plan a single day for a month. And also it should be celebrated in a specific way, it is very charged. I broke with this tradition many years ago and started doing Christmas in my own way. It has been both easy and difficult – easy because I live a difficult life myself for my family (parents and siblings) who at first did not understand. I have come up with a few things that have helped me:
1. Store shelves overflowing with gadgets that promise happiness, joy and, above all, a successful and joyful Christmas do not live up to their promise.
2. that if you just shop and stress enough, you're guaranteed to have Christmas peace. Christmas won't be any cozier and more wonderful if we sink into the couch on Christmas Eve, broke and exhausted.
3. that it's perfectly okay not to celebrate at all!
My Christmas concept is called: Christmas-free! I have come up with a different kind of kick than the shopping kick – namely the “refrain kick”. The kick you get from refraining from getting caught up in the stress and all the musts. Refraining from buying Christmas presents (I know it's tough but it seems like the nieces and nephews like me anyway!). Of course I am tempted. After a walk around town I am completely inundated with offers, glitter and promises of a perfect Christmas and it is so easy to be seduced. Of course I am tempted, I see things I didn't know I needed but suddenly I think I can't go another day without: I go into the store seduced...and then walk out empty-handed. What a kick! To feel that that particular gadget I have been wanting to buy won't actually add anything to my life. That feeling of freedom is priceless!
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