November 1, 2001-2010: A two-foot-tall rickety Christmas tree was erected annually, complete with plastic ornaments and some stretched-out tinsel. Throughout elementary school and middle school, Christmas was the highlight of my year. I'm pretty sure I had a 365-day countdown on more than one occasion. The holidays were basically the be-all, end-all of my existence as a child.
Yet nowadays, I wouldn't feel disappointed if the Christmas tree wasn't put up. And it seems that I'm certainly not the only one. I've noticed that young adults have become increasingly apathetic towards Christmas (and holidays in general), perhaps even more so than those who are middle aged.
Why? Here's my breakdown.
1. The cost
We're young and either still in school or just a few years out of it. It's unlikely to find a well-paying job right out of college. But buying friends and family sh*t Christmas presents doesn't seem right either. Things were so much easier when I was 4 and it was acceptable to give my dad a Popsicle stick with a face drawn on it as a gift. Christmas is so expensive when you're broke!
2. The time of year
It's cold AF and even though I love the cold, it somehow makes one want to be lazy and maybe not go outside. Something about December just makes me want to hiss at sunlight. Christmas is also right around the time of exams, and client-based jobs are often at their busiest as well. We're just trying to make it out of 2016 alive!
3. Stress and anxieties
Will eating 4,000 calories a day for a week make me gain weight? Can I buy 20 people their presents before that dreaded day? Ever since I've been at college, sometimes I get really disoriented and forget which month it is.
4. Family
Traveling for hours on icy highways and winding roads to see extended family is time AND energy consuming! Even though I love all of my family, there's always that token racist uncle, or perhaps your Grandma Ruth calls you fat. I didn't drive six hours for judgement and figgy pudding.
AND, last but not least...
5. Santa is a lie, an allegorical illusion that perpetuates capitalism!
Will someone be a Scrooge with me?
