Don’t Say Merry Christmas

People wish a festive season each Christmas through cards, words and gestures — “Merry Christmas”. Business’ also do the same through their marketing channels, in addition to their drastic sales. The words wished by people mean joy, togetherness and peace amongst one-another. It is the special time of the year to be with close family and friends. Yet, realistically, the meaning intended through the words are not the first thoughts that appear in people minds when they think of Christmas.

Christmas, realistically, means the time to spend financially and materialistically for those close to one-another though not necessarily desiring to for each family and friend. Parents become overwhelmed with the money they’re obliged to spend, siblings will hesitantly consider spending for their parents and each other, and also very close friends who mean the world to each other will harbour the will to spend for that one time of the year.

Clearly, this is completely contrary to the ‘meaning’ of Christmas. The time for joy, togetherness and peace.

There was a period, a time before, that Christmas meant something integral. A time that family and friends truly looked forward to. The time for hours of laughs, long dinners, joyous giving and many more festivities that came from the heart. Long ago, the obligation to spend on unwanted people and overwhelming obligations was unheard. Christmas was a welcomed time of the year, each year and every year.

Historically, the traditions of the festive season have declined into something constantly resented. Something also paradoxal — people want to receive yet not give. The focus has shifted from expressing care for those around them to themselves. People feel ‘exploited’, per say, as they are obliged to spend, especially on others they don’t want to. Many long for a change to the true meaning, yet times seem to continue to decline.

Spending (ie. giving), was still an integral aspect of Christmas during the period before — it was joyful. Spending on those you love is as important as the hours of laughs and long dinners. It is a powerful form of expressing care to those around you. Though as important giving is, regarding it as the main aspect of Christmas is detrimental which is evident in today’s period. Materials are one way to be joyful.

The presence of your family and friends are to be integrally cherished. They can never be replaced as the latest toy can, they cannot be given a monetary value as a gift can, and cannot be thrown away as an object. Unlike the latest gadget, true family and friends — and you know who they are — will be there when you need them most; not only for the long dinners. Long for the people you care for are those you should be merry about.

This is Christmas — not the boxes under the tree; they are just one part of the festive season. People are what make the festive season what it is; especially speaking, true family and friends. Without those you care for, Christmas would seem empty to you and your thoughts may develop a feeling of resentment.

Don’t Say Merry Christmas, whether in person or on cards/gifts, unless you truly mean it to your family and friends. This phrase is a powerful phrase that is often used lightly. It is better to disapoint — and they aren’t true family and friends — than to throw-around the phrase like it’s just another word. Wish a Merry Christmas to those people you wish to have joy, togetherness and peace this festive season. I would like to wish you a merry christmas like the business’ and every person you know, but that would contradict the entire paper.