Is Christmas Overrated?
On December 25 every year, people celebrate the now nearly worldwide holiday of Christmas, occurring around the winter solstice. Although it was originally known as a religious holiday, Christmas has become a cultural phenomenon that is celebrated worldwide, not just by those who recognize the event as a religious celebration. For Christians, this day is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the base of their religion. Christmas customs include giving gifts to family members and friends, decorating trees and houses, attending church, and having meals with friends and family. But most importantly for children, the holiday is all about waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with his sleigh loaded down with gifts.
Other than the Christian religious side of things, what is the point of swapping presents, eating with friends and family? Are we overdoing this holiday with the lights, the songs, and decorating our entire houses? Why are we singing carols to other people or even about other people? Don't you think that Santa is just an odd creep?
People have all these sorts of opinions on the exaggeration of Christmas, and the days counting down to the holiday I have come up with my final answer, based on my own bias.
No. Christmas is not overrated.
Personally, I LOVE Christmas. The whole idea of Christmas just makes my heart burst with excitement and that giddy feeling.
Living up to its name, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. 2020 has been a terrible year for all of us. Even terrible isn't the word to describe it. Given every single thing that occurred this year, I believed that Christmas would be waiting for us as a starting point to a better year, or just something good that we can look forward to. We need things like Christmas to lift our spirits right now.
Christmas is a holiday to let your worries loose, being grateful to be surrounded by your loved ones, and just be happy. Even though it's right in the coldest heart of winter, there are plenty of Christmas traditions to keep you warm and cozy, not to mention the delicious food.
- Eating your own weight
When you have your annual dinners or lunches or breakfasts on Christmas, you can eat as much food as you like, and have an excuse for it, due to the delicious desserts and treats. Who doesn't love filling their belly with Christmas cookies?
2. Having your city / town lit up
From the lights lit up down the Midosuji road, going all the way to Namba, you know that they take Christmas seriously, even in Japan. Seeing all the different colours either from your car window or just by being under them, you know that the people around you LOVE Christmas by their lights up in front of their houses, just with their Christmas festivities going through the roof.
3. Cringy but good holiday movies
"Keep the change, you filthy animal."
Even though some movies will cringe the cringe out of you, admit that you still watch them every single year. Even though some of the messages that the audience recieves from some movies are weird, we still watch the Christmas classics.
"'Love Actually' may have been totally sexist... but we'll continue to watch it every year." - INSIDER
4. Songs that get stuck in your head
One of the most important things that make Christmas Christmas is the music... when you get into the vibe, that feeling, and the thing that makes you wanna sing your heart out. You could straight up rely on the radio, your own playlist, or that one friend who sings their heart out, 24-7.
5. Spending time with your friends and family
During Christmas, this is the perfect time to hunker down and bond with the people you care the most about.
6. PRESENTS! Opening every single gorgeous wrapped package with your name on it...
If you like giving more than receiving... well, you would probably want to skip this one!
Information from History.com and Insider.com