In just a couple more weeks, it will be Christmas again.  It seems like only yesterday that I was coming home from my travels to Vietnam and Hong Kong last year and getting excited about this special season.  But time does not stand still and yes, it is time for the Santa suits to be taken out of storage and dusted off.  I make no apologies for saying that Santa Claus does not exist.  Neither does the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy.

Here’s a multiple choice for you: Christmas – ’tis the season to be

1. jolly
2. grumpy

I have heard many people call this the “silly season”.  I suppose it is, in part, due to the incredible lengths some people go to in order to buy gifts for friends and loved ones, and in part due to all the partying and extravagance of the occasion.

As a practising Catholic, I find it quite ironic that many countries no longer treat this holiday season as a religious holiday.  It seems in our eagerness for political correctness so as to not offend other religions, we are greeting each other with “Happy Holidays” instead of “Happy Christmas”.  So, we’re taking “Christ” out of “Christmas”?

As a festive season, whatever religion you belong to, Christmas season should be a time for giving and celebration.  The first record I ever bought as a kid was the Chipmunks’ Christmas album.  It was a lovely Christmas story of how Alvin discovered the spirit of Christmas and experienced the true joy of giving when he gave away his prized golden harmonica to a sick little boy, but not before he tried to con money out of neighbours and friends.

Religious celebrations aside, a holiday, regardless of whether it’s a religious occasion or otherwise,  should be a happy time.  So if your answer to the above multiple choice question is not “jolly”, then perhaps you need to take a deep breath and think about all the things that make you happy about this holiday.  It is certainly nice to be receiving presents but there is a special “something” about the act of giving – when you see the excitement on a child’s face as he/she opens a gift (and probably loves the box it came in than the actual gift itself).

If you are traveling far and wide to be with family this Christmas, be safe and be happy, and when you think your parents/uncle/aunt/cousin/in-laws/other are driving you crazy, take a deep breath and be thankful that they are there to drive you crazy, because some day, they won’t be there anymore, and you may find yourself missing them.  And remember this, they drive you crazy because you care about them.  That is always my mantra and it works! 🙂

So wherever you are celebrating this Christmas, I wish you a very happy season.  Be content.  Be jolly.  Be peaceful.  Eat. Drink. Be merry!

And don’t forget the hula hoop! 🙂