‘Tis the Season

I think holidays are pointless. There. I said it. I have been constantly rebuked by friends and family for the way I feel, but I can’t help it.

I haven’t ever had a horrible Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or Easter. I don’t have any bad memories, or drunk, unruly, embarrassing family members that make holidays unbearable.

I have always loved my holiday experiences. I enjoy spending every moment that I can with my family. I enjoy giving thanks, celebrating Christ’s birth, and remembering the day he sacrificed his life for the world while surrounded by the people I love most.

What I don’t enjoy is the emphasis that is placed on food. What I don’t enjoy is the fact that I asked my family to work at a soup kitchen on Christmas day and my sister replied, “No. I don’t want to do that. I want my presents.” What I don’t enjoy is the amount of money we spend on crap like iPods, clothes, movies and jewelry, when there are people in other countries, and even in our own country, who will be spending their holidays wondering if they will be able to even eat.

I realize that I am idealistic. I recognize the fact that people will always want more and will never be satisfied. And I understand that we live in a world that is filled with broken families and latchkey kids.

But the emphasis on what the holidays are about needs to change.

It is important for us to remember that our family, Christ’s birth and sacrifice, and being thankful, are always important… not just on holidays.

Halloween

I don’t like to party, and I don’t dress like a skank. These are the reasons why Halloween is my least favorite holiday.

What is it about Halloween? Why is this the one night of the year when it is completely socially acceptable for girls to dress like sluts? Why is it a night when it is the norm to get hammered?

I will be honest, if I had an incredible body, I would show it off a bit more. If I were 21, I would probably drink on a more regular basis.

But there is a level when it gets pushed too far. Our society has forgotten what the word ‘moderation’ means. We eat and eat and eat, and wonder why we get fat. We drink and drink and drink and wonder why we can’t go a day without a few shots. We smoke and smoke and smoke, then wonder why we have lung cancer (trust me, I am at fault on this one). And we sleep around and dress like skanks and do what we please, and wonder why we end up pregnant, date-raped, and full of diseases.

We need to take better care of our bodies. We need to recognize that holidays like this aren’t the only times to have fun. We need to enjoy ourselves on a more regular basis, so that it doesn’t get all pent up and spew out on a crazy night like Halloween.

Oh well. At least I will be in the Clause office all night. No hangovers for me.