By NATALIE SACKET
Columnist
The three siblings endure a trialsome existence at Wal-Mart with their grandmother, pushing on four hours of consumeristic pain. Nathan’s phone is dead, Ethan’s and mine quickly following to the grave. Though we are bored, we are fierce, dancing to ‘80s supermarket music. We shall be legends, remembered for our endurance through the Tupperware aisle. Our advancement to baking utensils will be marveled. BUT, we shall not falter, as we remember the world outside of the walls of Wal-Mart and long for even the bitter cold that awaits us on the other side of the sliding doors. But then… all weep as we are led to the discount post-Christmas section. Even the coldest of winters holds more hope than this purgatory of 50 percent-off Santas.
Since when can childhood dreams be cut in half? The effects of consumerism have blazed through the aisles, leaving little elves freshly amputated. Quaint little cottages once dusted with the white powder of fake snow are smeared with the dirty fingerprints of disgusting children. But here, in this barren wasteland of a ravaged North Pole, a post-Christmas miracle can be found. Here, bargains will be found….
Okay, so we’ve established two things so far. 1. I tend to be melodramatic. And 2. Christmas break is over, leaving me in a state of Christmas-is-over-and-classes-have-started-and-I-just-really-want-to-go-back-to-my-coma-of-Netflix-and-hot-chocolate blues. It’s a very real and very severe fake disease. That being said, I’m sure it’s a terrible existence many of us face in these first few weeks of the semester. So, what is the cure? How does one endure in a world where twinkly, lit-up streets have been replaced by dark alleys; where hundreds of jolly, fat, bearded men have somehow vanished into thin air; when all that is left of the holiday is the bitter weather and the 10 pounds gained in one month. The answer lies in the heart of this season.
For many, including myself, Christmas is a time of giving. This serves as a reminder of the gift that was given over two millenniums ago. While this is my personal opinion, I realize this is not the viewpoint of all. Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Diwali, the winter solstice, or simply the opportunity to drink a ridiculous amount of hot chocolate, this time of year tends to be one of the merriest of all. That being said, the Christmas spirit doesn’t have to fade away with the passing of December.
A giving spirit is one that can and should be practiced throughout the entirety of the year, not just to fill up the space under a tree. A joyful and positive attitude doesn’t simply have to be because of the Christmas dinner that awaits. An appreciation of family doesn’t have to be when all members of the family are cheerfully (or not so cheerfully) gathered together. For goodness sake, you can wear your onesie whenever you want!! (Though perhaps this should be limited when in public places.)
So since I’m delayed in speaking about the holidays, I will go ahead and make a post-New Year’s resolution as well… to be the happiest little elf of all, all year round.