Wishing you a truly amazing and very scary Christmas!
My favorite things about Christmas:
- Giving gifts to loved ones
Receiving gifts may not be one of my primary love languages, but it is one of the tools I use to communicate my love for others. Whether it’s something they have been asking for or something that they did not even know they wanted until they opened up my gift, it is a huge thing to watch their face light up when they see what I got them. - Listening to holiday music
Granted, in my case, it is horrorcore holiday music that heavily centers around homicide and debauchery, but it is still something that I look forward to every year. - Living the spirit of the season (giving and receiving with love and grace)
To me, the spirit of Christmas is about unity, and giving selflessly to those who are in need. It is also about learning to receive the grace that has been given to us, whether you believe in Jesus Christ or just the spark of life within us, and to appreciate it fully and shine it outward. With the way we celebrate today, I would add that it can be about both giving with love and receiving gifts (and love) with grace. It is beautiful, and I wish we could do that all year. - Creating new traditions
Leaving my family and moving across the country has come with a lot of challenges, but one of the best things to come out of it has been celebrating holidays the way that I want to. I got my own Christmas tree that I decorate how I want, I cook the meals I want, I make my own schedule. The freedom has helped me get over my grudge against the holidays to a certain extent. - Appreciating traditions that have been passed down to me
Not everything I was raised with is something that I want to get rid of. There are plenty of holiday traditions that I was raised with that I still enjoy. For instance, I open some of my presents on Christmas Eve because my family celebrated that night my entire life, but I open presents from people who celebrate Christmas Day that morning instead so I can honor their traditions as well. I also eat a big dinner on Christmas Eve. - Spending time with chosen family
My biological family is not awful, but there is great value in celebrating the holidays with the people you choose instead of the ones you are expected to. I am fortunate that I enjoy spending time with my family, but being able to surround myself with the ones that match my vibe has made a world of difference in how I feel on the holidays. - Receiving thoughtful gifts
For me, the meaning behind the present makes a world of difference. I love knowing someone put thought and care into picking something out for me. It certainly can make me feel loved even though it is not one of my primary love languages, but the thoughtful things people do for me matter far more than the gifts. Cooking with me, tasting my baking creations, and spending time celebrating together means far more than any gift. - Being in the moment
If you are an adult, chances are good that Christmas is one of the times you try to be fully present and savor everything that is happening. Moments like that are rare, and even though they may seem stressful or miserable at times, especially if you are contending with grief of any kind, they become valuable as time goes by. I love that everyone is truly together on Christmas.
