It was interesting to learn that the puritans were against celebrating christmas, and I think that period in history upset people so much that it’s resulted in various myths and stories revolving around forcing someone to get into the christmas spirit- like “A Christmas Carol” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Even when I celebrated it, I used to wonder, why it was such a big deal if someone didn’t like the holiday- even though I enjoyed it, it was undeniable that things seemed kind of forced. Now that I’ve declined to celebrate, it is clear to me that it IS forced. The economy forces it, the culture forces it- human psychology forced it in the form of deep engrained needings as naturally pagan beings to participate in revelry around that time. It’s been a facinating experience, and next year I should have a better plan for coping with it.
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my family needs participation in various get togethers and I can’t just be an an asshole and refuse, to put it bluntly. spiritually, though, I’m not letting it suck me in. I am not in the “holiday spirit”. I do not have a big long shopping list like years before. I do not have my cublicle decorated with anything other than a small menorah statue and the christmas cards my coworkers gave me. There is nothing decorating my house.
I was in a shop the other day and they were playing christmas songs, and I thought about what it would be like for my potential children to have the deluge of social cues pounding away at them. They will be told why, and I guess I’d have to do my best to keep them away from stores and such during that time. It is very difficult to resist, although I’ve been raised with Christmas, I wonder if it’s as enticing for people who are raised without it?
So I’m just ignoring it the best I can. If someone “notices” and asks me why I don’t celebrate, that will be my time to shine- because I will tell them.
