It's that time of year again.
The time of year when sales are advertised in retail windows, begging us to buy things we don't need.
The time of year when Christmas music gets stuck in your head because it's being played in every public space imaginable.
The time of year when you decorate the tree and throw on a holiday favorite film with a cup of hot cocoa.
This time of year means something different for everyone. To some, Christmas is just another day. To others, it's the biggest day of the year.
Growing up, I had a traditional Christmas celebration that played out like some dysfunctional family indie movie. My immediate family, aunts, uncles, cousins - the whole gang would gather in front of the tripod to take our annual family photo at my grandma's house.
To follow would be the mushroom soup, a family tradition I always hated because I just can't seem to jump on the mushroom bandwagon. Presents were stuffed under the tree and we would each take turns until all twenty plus attendees were finished opening.
For the first few years of my life, this was the norm. Grandma's house on Christmas Eve night was what we all did. The holidays were planned around it.
As most things in life typically do, the family relationships fell apart. People changed, emotions took hold of everyone and we all moved on with our lives.
We moved the annual Christmas celebration to my aunt's house. The family members that still spoke to each other gathered around the Christmas tree and we would all open gifts together and eat the mushroom soup, just like we did at my grandma's house.
Once my grandma died and my aunt began to get tired of hosting each year, yet another Christmas tradition fell apart. Christmas became about celebrating with my immediate family. The celebration went from over twenty of us opening gifts around the tree to only four family members.
Those changes, while difficult for my mom over the years, didn't affect me much. I kind of just went with it. Christmas hasn't meant much to me since I was a kid. Sure, I love receiving gifts. Who doesn't? That's all I really saw Christmas as was a grand gift exchange extravaganza and spending time with the people that matter most to you.
This year is a particularly different Christmas. This year, there are no gifts under the tree for the four of us to exchange. This year, it's all about appreciating the little things.
We always have fun opening gifts with each other and seeing the expression on that person's face when they open a gift you put a lot of thought into. However, I think I kind of needed to experience a Christmas like this.
In reality, Christmas was never solely about gifts, even though that's what corporate society likes to focus on. Sometimes, it all comes back to money.
Holidays are evidence on calendars that people deserve that day to spend time with their loved ones. That's why I hate the fact that places such as McDonald's, Starbucks and more are open on Christmas Day. No one needs a Big Mac or a caramel macchiato on Christmas. Wait until Boxing Day or stock up on Christmas Eve if you're that addicted.
This Christmas, I'll be appreciating all the things I never realized I took for granted:
Decorating the Christmas tree while playing the Christmas Sound Choice playlist.
Eating a traditional Slovakian meal for dinner and having those political discussions with your family that usually don't go how you hope they will.
Spending time with my precious dog who is always there to bring some excitement to the household.
Ending the day by watching a movie or whatever football game my family is watching. Of course, I'm not really paying attention because I could care less about who scored.
Money is important, for sure. It's what runs the economy and how we function in society.
What's more important are our relationships. Our family. Our friends. Our pets. The things that can't be replaced.
That's what I'm going to focus on this Christmas. Not the fact that there aren't a pile of mysterious boxes waiting to be unwrapped. I still get to experience all the other traditions that make Christmas special at our household.
I didn't realize this in the past but you know what? It's more than enough.
Happy holidays!
