Dear "Scrooge,"

No, I'm kidding. At a different time, I would have probably called you that if you hated the holiday season. I'm sure I probably did call someone that a time or two. But my point of view has changed now... now I understand why so many people may not love the holidays.

I wanted to tell you that whatever it is that made you hate the holidays is completely understandable. You are allowed to dread putting up your Christmas tree, you are allowed to not have the most decorated house on the block, you are even allowed to detest the holidays season altogether. For some reason, we, as human beings- but also Americans- think that everyone has to think that November through January is the "most wonderful time of the year". If you're one of those people who hates the holidays, I'm here to tell you I understand.

I used to jump on people who said they dreaded Christmas. "What? You don't like Christmas?! Who are you even?". But now I don't do that anymore... now I get it. This year a lot of things have changed with me, and I've found myself dreading the holidays. I've found myself not at all looking forward to putting up the tree and decorating, wearing Santa hats, helping put up stockings, even presents don't sound that intriguing to me this year.

I wanted to write this letter to tell you that it's okay that you don't love the holidays like society says you should. To tell you that I understand, for the first time in my life, that the holidays can actually be a hard time- not a cheerful one. I understand now that there are many reasons you may not have the holiday spirit everyone talks about.

And most of all, I wanted to say that I am sorry. I'm sorry for whatever it is that made you dread Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and all the times in between. I'm sorry if you have no family to spend it them with, if you have no money for presents, if you or a loved one has become ill during this time, if some event in your life has scarred this time of the year for you. I am so sorry for whatever tragic event has caused you to hate this time of the year.

Whatever brings you down around the holiday season, I hope you don't let it consume you. I hope you remember that it only lasts somewhere around forty days, and after that, we all go back to our lives until the next holiday season. Most of all, I hope you remind yourself that it is one-hundred percent okay to not be a holiday person. If you don't want to put up your tree this year, don't. You don't have to go with the status quo like the love of Christmas and the spread of holiday cheer.

So, with that, I hope you make the most of this holiday season, as will I.

Sincerely,

Not Thrilled About Christmas Either