I have received some flack for my lack of Christmas spirit, and my assertions that I will indeed be boycotting the holidays this year, and this flack has made me want to take a second to truly assess; what is the big deal with Christmas?
I know that it is the day Jesus was supposedly born, and I get the need to celebrate that (if you are Christian), but what I don’t get is the mass hysteria and desire to receive gifts that comes along with it. See, for James’ family, they exchange gifts by drawing names. I am a part of this gift exchange. But I have a problem with it, and I always talk with James about it (even though I still just bit the bullet and participate anyway); if Christmas is about presents, isn’t it supposed to be about giving them, not just getting something? See, this gift exchange occurs through the mail, because the people on the list are literally spread across the country and into Canada. We don’t even see each other, it is more of an obligation to get something for someone; but why? For me, Christmas (or general gift giving, really) is not supposed to be about getting anything; it is supposed to be about giving, but because you want to. You give people gifts so you can see them be happy with what you have bought for them; not because you just need to get them something. Buying something for someone just because is quite silly, if you ask me; unless you just wanted to, not because you had to because you are part of a gift exchange where you won’t even see the person receive his or her gift.
I could go on forever about the anthropological history of gift giving and the traditions that go with it (a little talk about the potlatch anyone?), but I really just want to know if I am being so unconventional by thinking of Christmas and gift giving as a little overblown. I mean, in reality, it is just another day, and there should be no more reason to spend time with family any other day of the year, there should be no other reason to give gifts any other day of the year; yet the malls are packed with people spending tons of money to fill the requirement of gifts for others. It just seems a little out of hand to me.
And yes, I am boycotting the holidays. Bah-humbug. I am thankful, and I will give gifts, and I will visit family, but don’t see a need to attribute it to holiday spirit, the day itself, nor the need for Christmas music. What are you all doing for the non-holidays?