As a little girl I was always so so excited for Christmas.
Like most kids, I remember having difficulty falling asleep on Christmas Eve
and waking up super early on Christmas morning. I loved going down the stairs
to the living room where my mom had laid out all my presents. Over the past
maybe 10 even 15 years, I’ve gotten less and less into Christmas. I still like it
in a general way – because it’s a break, because I usually go on a holiday
somewhere warm (I remember when I was little always finding it so odd that the
hotels we’d visit in the Caribbean would have Christmas trees. Warm tropical
weather and Christmas trees just did not go together in my mind. All the
Christmas carols about winter wonderlands had permanently ingrained in my mind
the idea that Christmas trees belong in cold snowy environs), because Christmas
lights are very pretty – and particularly I love seeing my aunt and uncle who
drive to Toronto from Annapolis just before Christmas every year. My mom also
makes the most delicious and amazing linzer torte (using her secret Hungarian
recipe) every year. But to be honest, I don’t have any desire to participate in
Christmas decorations, trees, etc.
I actually feel guilty for not liking Christmas more because
it is important to my mom, and because in a lot of ways it’s a very nice
holiday. But at the same time, I feel no attachment to trees or decorations.
Over the month of December, it seemed every store or restaurant I visited in
Montreal had put up Christmas decorations. D. and I were eating at Burger de
Ville (such good burgers! And vanilla milkshakes! If you’re in Montreal and
like those things, go there! And thanks to H. for the recommendation!) recently
and as we were putting on our coats to leave, I noticed with surprise that
there were Christmas decorations. I remarked on this to D. and he replied along
the lines of “what do you expect?/of course they do! It’s almost Christmas!”
Not only was D. right, but I had to admit that the decorations were a nice
touch. I think I have to accept that I am someone who has zero desire to put up
Christmas decorations, yet enjoys admiring them.
To people who love Christmas what I am about to say probably
sounds awful, but while I think Christmas trees are very pretty (especially
with coloured lights and lots of ornaments) I don’t think I would mind if I
didn’t have one. Maybe it’s just that right now I haven’t had to actually face
a Christmas without a tree because my parents always get one. Hmmm, maybe I
should take back my earlier statement. Maybe I would mind if we didn’t have
one. When I eventually have my own house, then I will get a tree but for now, I
am content with just occasionally seeing the tree and noting its prettiness
without giving it much more thought.
I’m the same with Halloween. No desire to put up decorations
or dress up and I can’t remember the last time I was involved with carving a
pumpkin. Although I do still distinctly remember and actually kind of like the
smell and feel of pumpkin seeds being pulled out of the pumpkin. It’s not that
I don’t like holidays or celebrating – I love Valentine’s Day because I love
hearts, the colours pink and red, and heart shaped cookies with pink icing. I
also love birthdays! I want to celebrate my own and all my friends’ birthdays
every year. So I am into holidays, I’m just not into putting up decorations.
Regardless of my opinions on trees and decorations, I agree
that the December holiday season is a wonderful time of year. Whether you are
into Christmas decorations or not (or even celebrate Christmas), I hope you
have a very happy holiday season!
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