Abundant in love at Christmas.

Abundant in love at Christmas.

By Ollie.

Its December next week and the city has already started preparing for the holidays. Whether you particularly like Christmas or not, markets, lights and the cold weather is making its presence known. For me personally, I love it. I always have. Especially having a summer birthday, it feels like such a satisfying wait for the celebrations to continue. Christmas to me, beckons certain scents, sights and an overall sense of cosiness. Gingerbread flavoured candles, warm yellow twinkling lights, dark nights snuggled up under a blanket with a hot chocolate. What’s not to love? However, with the holidays, also comes money, an excess of shoppers and stress to find gifts on time for your loved ones.

My favourite winter film is the Grinch. Although me and my dad both hate Jim Carey. The prosthesis, the humour and the songs. It’s a camp classic that I never tire of. Similarly, the polar express, with its magical animation. But something that these two have in common is the overarching theme of consumerism. I’m not going to tell anyone how to live and what they should or shouldn’t spend. Ultimately, whatever people give or receive is up to them. Although, I worry that as I get older, Christmas loses some of its sparkle due to an excess of spending, with people losing its intended purpose.

I have always been a minimalist, and not a materialist person. I pass no judgement, as my sister who I love very much, won’t look at a price tag with less than 3 digits. But I respect that she likes what she likes. What I take issue with, is the waste of toys, the trivialising of the season and establishments charging inordinate prices for simple things in the name of Christmas. To cut a long story short, the spirit of the holidays is about giving back. Whether it’s an expensive watch or a simple card. It’s the perfect time for us as cold humans (and colder brits) to express our love for others. For me, as an artsy person I enjoy creating clay figures, writing heartfelt messages and knitting scarves weaved with affection for those I call my friends and family.

Christmas is about gathering with your people and celebrating life. The end of winter and the beginning of a new year. Hence, Merry Xmas and a happy new year! Its symbiotic. Of course it’s fun to plan trips, spend a little more than you normally would and go big or go home. Yet, the essence of it is home cooking, wrapping paper, spindly writing – perfectly imperfect. What I look forward to, is sitting on the couch with my friends and indulging in a holiday film. Going ice skating and laughing when one of us falls. Watching my family open their presents and knowing I brought a smile to their face. It’s not about the grand gestures and the dollar signs. It’s in the small. It’s donating a small amount which could’ve been self-indulgent to a child in need. To someone else in the world who doesn’t have access to the same privileges. Who would be ecstatic to receive some old socks from grandma, or mum’s slightly dry turkey, or listen to dad sing carols.

Christmas is a time to give back, and appreciate what you already have, instead of what you get. The magic is you and for you to pass on to someone else. So that we can all sparkle.

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