Oh Christmas Spirit Where Have You Gone? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Oh Christmas Spirit Where Have You Gone?

In retail Christmas time is certainly not the most wonderful time of the year.

Maura Badia
Dec 19, 2016
Suffolk Community College
89
Oh Christmas Spirit Where Have You Gone?
Poetrysync

As anyone who works in retail can tell you, your favorite time of the year is our worst nightmare. Believe me, I love Christmas time.

Probably a little too much.

I have 30 ugly Christmas sweaters and let’s just say my room is definitely a winter wonderland. I’ve always loved Christmas time. Not because of the overly materialistic aesthetic that goes with it, but because of the Christmas spirit. People holding doors open for one another, smiling as they find the perfect gift for their friends and family.

However if there’s one thing working in retail has taught me, it’s that I was naïve.

Perhaps for Christmas’ past I had spent too much time with my eyes shut enjoying the smell of the pine trees to actually notice how awful people can be. I projected my own Christmas spirit onto everyone else.

I cannot tell you how many times myself and my coworkers have been screamed at for lines, received eye rolls for messes, got that skeptic glare when we checked and didn’t find a person’s size in the back and had our jobs threatened because a coupon didn’t apply.

I believe I speak for all retail workers when I say that while we’re smiling on the outside we’re slowly dying on the inside. Our patience tested and Christmas spirit chipped away at bit by bit, we leave work exhausted and saddened.

The kind of sad that not even hearing your favorite Christmas song on the radio can fix. Boo.

So where has the Christmas spirit gone? I’m not sure, but I think we all have the power to bring it back. Smile a little more, yell a little less.Yes, I know that line is annoying but I promise you we’re trying, and please know that while it may not seem like it, you will eventually reach the checkout.

I believe that if we can all take a moment to empathize with one another we can save the Christmas spirit and change Giftmas back to Christmas. So this holiday let’s try to remember what Christmas time is really all about.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is What I Hope Heaven Feels Like

By: James McDonald

26674
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
85225
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
26161
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
11071
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
76284
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments