I could not agree more!! Once I realized "oh, Christmas sucks for me as an adult because it's not magical, its just work and PTSD triggers", I started to opt out.
I don't have kids, but I've been with little kids on Christmas, and it is lovely and fun! But I'm totally fine spending the day quiet at home, too.
One of the first essays I ever published was Christmas is for Kids. I taught in LA's inner city for 15 years and always made a big deal of it: put up a fireplace (on bulletin board) with Santa's boots coming down the chimney, construction paper stockings hung that the kids stitched together themselves, gave out books as presents to every child, (kids liked books in the 70's & 80's!) hosted a white elephant exchange supplied with items I had at home, musical chairs, dancing, snacks, and tons of fun. I never had kids, but loved 32 kids every year and making their holidays merry.
This is the Christmas post I didn’t know I needed. I’m always angsty this time of year and it’s so helpful to reframe it all as something that simply doesn’t concern me.
Christmas is for anyone who wants it. Kids, adults, parents, non-parents, grandparents, whoever. I don't have kids and my husband and I are only children- no nieces or nephews. Should we throw out our tree? Christmas is for anyone who wants it.
I could not agree more!! Once I realized "oh, Christmas sucks for me as an adult because it's not magical, its just work and PTSD triggers", I started to opt out.
I don't have kids, but I've been with little kids on Christmas, and it is lovely and fun! But I'm totally fine spending the day quiet at home, too.
me, too.
One of the first essays I ever published was Christmas is for Kids. I taught in LA's inner city for 15 years and always made a big deal of it: put up a fireplace (on bulletin board) with Santa's boots coming down the chimney, construction paper stockings hung that the kids stitched together themselves, gave out books as presents to every child, (kids liked books in the 70's & 80's!) hosted a white elephant exchange supplied with items I had at home, musical chairs, dancing, snacks, and tons of fun. I never had kids, but loved 32 kids every year and making their holidays merry.
This is the Christmas post I didn’t know I needed. I’m always angsty this time of year and it’s so helpful to reframe it all as something that simply doesn’t concern me.
Excellent points. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. (My family is very well behaved.)
That was fantastic, even though I disagree with you about Valentine's Day.
I also always had a Valentine's party. Kids enjoyed making Valentine's and exchanging them.
Christmas is for anyone who wants it. Kids, adults, parents, non-parents, grandparents, whoever. I don't have kids and my husband and I are only children- no nieces or nephews. Should we throw out our tree? Christmas is for anyone who wants it.
Brilliant