That Ole Christmas Feeling

Essentially that feeling of Christmas should have begun 29 days ago. Twenty-nine days ago, it was the day after Thanksgiving, which is when most businesses enter their peak selling season and look to close out the books on a positive note. We, as consumers, have all become so preoccupied with using this time to find that perfect gift for our friends, family, or the eccentric coworker that you picked in the annual Secret Santa that Christmas seems to have become a
chore instead of a holiday. Sadly, in the past 29 days, I have fallen victim to this and have probably felt a Christmas spirit for about 10 minutes.

Despite my best efforts, I was just unable to find any holiday cheer this year. I created a Christmas station on Pandora for my commute to work, but only that worked for the first few days. There are only so many times that someone can hear Jingle Bells performed by every single recording artist ever before it becomes stagnant. The holiday decorations that beautifully illuminated the homes and neighborhoods I drove through on the way home evoked some cheer, but it was short-lived. The Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph blow-ups outside the Christmas tree farm near my house would make me smirk a bit, but mainly because I always found those large, floppy figures somewhat amusing.

However, I refused to accept the fact that I was becoming a Scrooge; yet, it was so hard to find that heart-warming holiday cheer you feel when watching one of those Christmas stories on ABC Family. Yes, I even tried watching one of those aforementioned shows on ABC Family and it just didn’t work. Had I had lost or even forgotten that joyous feeling that is intrinsic during this season? That’s when I was able to pinpoint where I believed that joy came from years ago when we are all younger: hope, love, and thankfulness.

Sure, at the age of 6, we were hopeful and thankful for different things compared to now, but it's those feelings that make Christmas special. Even though we are older, we shouldn’t forget those feelings simply because the times have changed and we are no longer children anymore.

For many people I know, this year has been difficult for a myriad of reasons. However, they continue to wake up each day hopeful that better things are to come, love the life they have, and are thankful for the blessings in that life. Especially as Christmas approached, they became even more thankful for the times they have with the loved ones in their life.

It wasn’t until I started realizing the gifts that I have to be thankful for this year that I
truly started feeling that glorious feeling of Christmas. Sure, I may not receive the most gifts or the priciest gifts this holiday season that were listed as the “must have” gifts of the season, but I’m perfectly content with the gifts that I do have. You know, the things that cannot be found at a Macy’s One Day Holiday Sale, Best Buy, or on Amazon.com. It’s those things that make Christmas time special, not necessarily what is buried underneath the dancing penguin wrapping
paper.

In short, take the time to be thankful for the amazing people you have in your life, love the life you live because it is a gift, and maintain a relentless, hopeful spirit this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays