This might seem like a pessimistic post, but trust me, it isn’t. It’s liberating!
Obligations and Family
What happens when you stop experiencing Christmas with its childhood magic?In my case, it’s a kind of disappointment that piles up year after year: illness, work, family drifting apart, more work, organisation, disproportionate financial expenses. I don’t want to sound dramatic, but every time the holidays are over, I think: “Phew, they’re finally done! Time to rest.”
Being an adult isn’t what we were promised (at least not for me, as a millennial), and at this point, I think we’ve all realised it.
Thinking about what presents to buy, about all the meals we have to prepare or attend, about the uncomfortable conversations we know we’ll have. Oh, and let’s not even mention the endless intrusive and inappropriate questions we’ll face:"Have you gained weight?", "Why don’t you dye your greys?", "What about your partner?", "Why don’t you have kids?"... Arrg!"
And there you are, trying to navigate all of this with a smile on your face, while inside, you’re juggling all the balls in the air, hoping not to drop a single one.
And when they ask you what to get X person as a gift? Because they’re standing right there, in the shopping centre, and “they need to know NOW!” The truth is… I don’t know! I barely know what I want for myself, let alone what men, women, children, friends, pets, and even ghosts from my family, extended family, neighbours, and people I can’t even think of right now might want. And you know what? That’s fine. I don’t need to know it all, nor meet everyone’s expectations.
Every year, I tell myself that I’m going to take things slower. For years, I’ve tried to convince myself that “this time it won’t bother me”, that “this year I won’t care.” But in the end, guilt would sneak through some crack and whisper in my ear that I wasn’t doing things right, that I wasn’t meeting what was expected of me.
But this year has been different. This year, I’ve allowed myself to let go. I’ve allowed myself to avoid overloading with tasks, to release expectations, guilt, the “shoulds” and the “have-tos”. And you know what? It’s wonderful. It’s liberating. It’s healthy. Because when you take that weight off your shoulders, you realise you’re also freeing others. When you’re okay, those around you can also relax. There’s no tension, and if there are any reproaches, they go in one ear and out the other. There’s no guilt. There’s peace.
Consumption
Consumption during Christmas is another topic that ties my stomach in knots. The lights, the adverts, the promotions… and the relentless “Buy, buy, buy!” echoing on every corner. I’ve heard that many shopping centres have had their best-ever Christmas campaign. And I can’t help but wonder: Really?
Because at the same time, we keep hearing that wages are stagnant, food banks are overwhelmed, prices are through the roof, and people are struggling financially… So how does this match up with the success of “the best Christmas campaign ever”? Seriously?
We live in a world that has turned Christmas into a frantic race to spend. Piles of wrapping paper destined for the bin, disposable decorations, toys that barely last a few months. Do we really need all of this?
We find ourselves trapped in a constant contradiction: spending what we don’t have to keep alive an illusion that often drains us more than it fulfils us.
The planet is begging us for a break. We can’t keep consuming at our current rate without expecting consequences. Every small gesture matters: choosing products made to last and that are really needed, supporting local businesses, avoiding unnecessary excess, reusing, recycling.
And here comes the biggest contradiction of all: I’m part of this system too. My business depends on Christmas. It’s my best sales season, and without it, I wouldn’t survive. I’ve done some Christmas promotions myself. I’m not here to lecture anyone, nor to point fingers. This is nothing more than a personal reflection, a need to put into words what I’ve been feeling for so long.
Because while all of this overwhelms me, I also remind myself that there are ways to do better. There are ways to consume consciously, to support meaningful projects, to give gifts thoughtfully, and to choose carefully.
In the end, it’s not about stopping consumption entirely, but about doing it more responsibly, more humanely, and in a way that truly connects with what matters.
Everything is Valid, as Long as We’re Comfortable
Christmas isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s not a mould we all fit into. And even though it sometimes feels like there’s only one right way to celebrate, the truth is, there isn’t.
- If you spend Christmas alone, that’s okay.
- If you spend it with friends, that’s okay.
- If you treat Christmas like an ordinary day, that’s okay.
- If you have Christmas dinner over a video call because you’re far away, that’s okay.
Everything is valid, as long as you feel comfortable, calm, and at peace with your decision.
These dates can be whatever you want them to be: an occasion to rest, to reconnect, to laugh, to cry, to close chapters, or simply to let them pass without fuss. There’s no manual, no universal rules.
What matters is that you feel good about whatever you decide to do (or not do). In the end, Christmas isn’t about gifts, food, or lights. It’s about the space we give ourselves to experience it the way we truly want to.
And if there’s no peace there, then maybe it’s time to write our own rules.
Happy Holidays, Your Way! 🎄✨
