Now that Thanksgiving has passed, everything has exploded with Christmas. The stores contain decorations and the commercials all feature sales for the holiday. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” people hear every day. But I tend to disagree with those lyrics.

I do not hate Christmas and despite having been called a “Grinch” or “Scrooge” several times in my life, I do not consider myself either. I simply find the Christmas holiday tedious, mundane and monotonous.

We all know the songs because radio stations play the exact same jingles every year. We have listened to “Jingle Bells” and “Jingle Bell Rock” since childhood. Personally, I have grown tired of this music.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF TRADITION?

Many people dislike commercials, at least I would like to think so anyway. I find people trying to sell unnecessary stuff annoying every day of the year — nothing changes when companies make their commercials holiday themed. Surprisingly, these commercials still work and people find themselves in over crowded malls to buy gifts for everyone they know.

I also find many traditions pointless. Why bother to put up a tree when you take it down a few weeks later? You will not find my house decorated nor will you hear me singing any jingles. But even though I do not enjoy the cheesy traditions of Christmas, I am thankful for the break from school that grants me the opportunity to visit family.

When I say “I am not a big Christmas person” I mean “I am not big on the over-commercialized holiday people spend too much money on.” I do not mean I do not enjoy going to visit family, spending time with friends and giving gifts to people I love. I do not hide out in my house being bitter at everyone who celebrates, I am simply not someone who gains enjoyment from the “Christmas spirit.”

CULTURAL TRADITIONS

Please understand I mean no hatred towards the Christmas holiday. I am not attempting to convince everyone to stop celebrating it or to even stop acting enthusiastic about it. By all means, have your tacky Christmas sweater parties and sing at the top of your lungs. Many people find tradition and routine comforting, I do not.

When we celebrate Christmas, we rely on the same traditions. I find the recycling of the decorations and songs actually lessen the enjoyment of the holiday. It deadens creativity and limits the diverse way we could celebrate. Let us try something new.

People celebrate Christmas all over the world, why not try one of their traditions? In Spain, after the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, people walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. Your neighbors might not appreciate that but it definitely sounds different. In Costa Rica, my home country, we like to decorate our house in tropical flowers. That might be difficult to find in the USA but we also call Santa “Niño Dios” or “Child God”.

Each country around the world celebrates Jesus’ birthday in different ways. Implement a different culture in your celebration and it will lessen the monotony and enhance the enjoyment.