Hate Holidays? Navigating the Least Favorite Traditions

Every family has its holiday traditions, some embraced with enthusiasm and others met with resistance. My least favorite holiday tradition involves being forced to get together with people I truly despise. Coaxing myself to face such gatherings often feels like an endurance test:

"C’mon honey. Let’s go inside and greet the family."

"Give me a moment to psyche myself up. Okay. I’m ready. Sigh."

Stressful Gift-Giving

A thing I loathe about holidays is the pressure to give gifts. Particularly mandating gifts can be a significant source of stress. If it’s April and you see something that reminds you of me or something like it would look great in my house, I will be ever grateful. But the idea that you have to buy each person X number of gifts or spend Y amount of money to prove your love and affection, it’s utter rubbish. It’s not about how much you value the recipient, but about how much you can afford to spend. I empathize with friends who take loans to spend hundreds of dollars on their kids’ Christmas gifts. This is an example of where the true meaning of love and affection can be lost in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.

Consider the following scenario: if you earn $15 an hour and decide to work overtime at time and a half to cover a $200 gift, you’re spending 20 extra hours away from your family, showing affection, but instead, you’re spending money and time away from your loved ones, proving that our efforts might not be as impactful as we think.

These holiday traditions are a double-edged sword. While they might aim to bring families closer, they often end up causing more stress and resentment rather than joy.

My Hate for Holiday Picture Days

A specific tradition that I personally despise is the yearly trip to the mall for a Christmas picture with Santa Claus. There are a few reasons why this tradition fills me with dread:

Costume Anxiety: The sight of people in costumes, especially adults, is disconcerting. The idea of people pretending to be someone they're not can be unsettling and triggering. Photography Frustration: Taking pictures with Santa is often disappointing. You only get one shot, and if the outcome isn’t perfect, there are no retakes. This can lead to anxious anticipation and post-incident disappointment. Too Old for Santa Photos: My siblings and I are no longer young enough to enjoy these traditions. Being 21, 17, 16, and 12, respectively, we inevitably get strange looks from people with their toddlers. This continuous embarrassment is a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of such traditions. Long Lines and Awkward Interactions: Christmas picture day at the mall is a long and often frustrating experience. The queue can be two hours long, and when you finally get to the front, the Santas tend to be more friendly towards children than teenagers. Conversations with the mall Santa are awkward and forced, lacking the natural camaraderie one might expect in such a familiar setting.

Lastly, I’ll share the 2019 Brownlee family Santa photo, siblings censored for privacy reasons, with all the challenges and frustrations intact. Enjoy the moment, knowing it won’t be the same for much longer.

Shine bright and Merry Christmas, Jackson.