Christmas Isn't The Same When You're Older | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Call Me A Grinch, But Christmas Doesn't Excite Me Anymore

No matter how hard I want it to be, it just isn't the same.

431
https://unsplash.com/photos/vsMPj-ie7EM
Roberto Nickson

Now that Thanksgiving is over, everyone has gone full-blown Christmas mode (although it feels like no one was ever in the Thanksgiving mood to begin with). By now most people have busted out the red and green decorations and retail stores are playing overly-cheery Christmas music on a loop. If you asked me a few years ago, I'd tell you I LOVE Christmas. But recently, I dread Christmas more than I anticipate it.

I know what you're thinking; that I'm just being bitter or trying to be "trendy" by not liking something that literally everyone else enjoys. Sure, maybe I am a little bitter about it. But I don't hate Christmas. I just don't really look forward to it. For me, it's just another one of 365 days in the year.

Growing up, I was a hardcore Christmas fanatic. I loved Christmas music so much that I broke my arm singing to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"...in April. I vividly remember my dad and I decorating the front yard with Christmas lights, and we would come up with silly names for each individual reindeer. I remember my mom and I shopping for Christmas dresses and pajamas. I remember stressing over whether we left enough cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. I remember the feeling of magic in the air. The feeling of innocence.

Now that I'm older, there's no more magic, and my innocence flew out the door a long time ago. Putting up Christmas lights has become more of a chore than a fun activity. I see the stress Christmas used to cause my parents every year, mostly when I was little and still believed in Santa. I know now they barely had the money for everything they fulfilled on my wish list. And not to mention all the mini holiday vacations to Seaworld, Disney and Gaylord Palms. I understand the struggle they went through to make sure I had the best Christmas I could. And it's left a pit of guilt in my stomach ever since. Even now, they still suggest going on a two-day trip or will ask me what I want. But it's just not the same anymore, no matter how hard anyone tries.

For my whole life, it's always been my parents and I. No big family reunion. No big gift exchanges or feasts. And while I love my family, it was hard to see all my friends travel to other states to be with their relatives, or host everyone at their own. I liked the idea of being apart of a big family and having traditions that have been passed down for years.

It doesn't stop there, either. The idea of everyone in town for the holidays gives me anxiety. It's bad enough I go out of my way to avoid seeing people who are in town 24/7, but for the month of December, I'm extra on-edge. It's the time of year where your old friends who you haven't talked to in months hit you up to do the same thing you guys did in high school. You laugh at the same old stories and reminisce on how things have changed. Then you promise you'll make an effort to talk more, but you all know deep down that you won't talk again until spring break or summer rolls around.

I also find it hard to be all holly and jolly when there is so much cruelty in the world. Because like I said, the innocence is gone. I'm aware of the hatred and malice that faces our society. And you can't really unsee it. You don't get to put it on pause. The holidays are no more than a distraction from what's really happening around us.

Yes, you'll still catch me wearing Christmas socks to work and dancing at holiday parties. I still plan on participating in the usual festive activities. All I'm saying is, Christmas just isn't what it used to be, and try as you might, but you can't convince me otherwise.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

355
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

374
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1036
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

2308
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments