Meri Chrisimasu!

Well folks, it is the season!

And time for me to have a bitch about the whole exercise...

When did Christmas stop feeling like Christmas? It seems to me that there is no longer anything innately special and exciting about the whole experience anymore. Personally, I guess I can attribute this to a few things.

1. THE DAY SANTA DIED

I guess the magic, wide eyed wonder and edge of your seat anticipation of the Christmas season pretty much went out the window the day that Santa died. I held on to this belief much, much longer that is appropriate to publicly admit.

2. AGE - THE DEATH OF TRADITION

Once upon a time, Christmas was about family, the reunion of seeing loved ones that you last saw the Christmas before, and for upholding the small and enjoyable habits developed years before. For my family - with a large gaggle of aunts, uncles and cousins - it was about getting together on Christmas Eve and watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation together, spending an entire week eating, swimming, playing games and generally enjoying each others company. As the family grows, so too does each individuals other commitments. However, with age, so too comes the decrease of family tolerance it would seem. In reflection, I cant remember the last time we had ALL our family in one room. And none of my generation even have kids yet! However being with my partner also means dividing our time between three families at Christmas, so I certainly understand that no kids does not necessarily mean no compromises.

3. CHRISTMAS - ALL FOUR MONTHS OF IT

Shopping centres have got it all going on. Nowadays, there is never some holiday or event that we shouldn't be buying for. We start with advertising for Valentines Day in February, Then its Easter in April (mind you, Easter eggs are now out shortly after the Christmas decorations come down), then Mothers Day in May, we get a little break before Fathers Day in September, and before the month is out the Christmas decorations are up and we are being reminded to buy trees and wrapping paper. Shopping centre decorations and associated Christmas products are now up/available from September through to January. By the time December and the date finally comes around, I know for the most part, I'm over it.

4. THE JOY OF SURPRISES

If one more person asks me what I want for Christmas I'm going to scream. I thought gifting was about what you wanted to give someone, not going out and buying them what they want. Obviously I was mistaken. I understand the logic about not wasting money by buying people things that they actually want and will enjoy, but gone is the feeling of excitement and anticipation in not knowing what to expect on the morning of the 25th. On the flip side of this scenario, its getting increasingly difficult to find someone the perfect gift, or more specifically, be able to afford it.

5. PEOPLE, BAH HUMBUG

I am getting REALLY over being out and about, with seemingly every other living human being that resides within a 15km radius. Its bad enough that I need to be in the city everyday for work, but when you are battling your way up the street through every student who has no where better to be now schools out, every parent loading their prams and themselves with toys, every grandparent asking endless nonsensical questions of store persons, and every professional making the most of their lunch break - its all too much.

But, having said all of that (and having gotten 90% of my Christmas shopping out of the way), I am still going to try to be a Christmas sap. I'm looking forward to another Christmas, having 2 weeks off work, spending some much needed time out of the city, with my partner and my family at the beach, watching as lovingly wrapped presents are opened and enjoyed, seeing the few extended family that will bother to make the trip, and to 2 weeks of eating and drinking a little too well.

So, from my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe Christmas season, whatever it holds for you.

AP xoxox