Grinch with a heart

The highs and lows of loving Christmas.

I am an odd person at best. I tend to contradict myself. I am currently growing my hair, but when I see other males with hair that hides their ears, I groan and mutter “Cut your hair” in their general direction. I think tattoos are awfully disgusting and yet dream of the day I will gather the courage to get one of my own. (A self designed one, of a word search).

And hence I introduce my greatest self-cancellation. This season means so much to me. It is the time of year that is set aside so we can all appreciate the greatness that is our lives. We are asked to love each other more than usual and be charitable. I can’t stand it. The commercialism, the cashing in, the loss of the meaning of Christmas… Let me reiterate that: I am a Christmas-loving Grinch.

If you are already turning your nose up at the very thought of reading a Christmas-hating article, go on ahead. I have just one thing to say to you: “I sincerely hope you have a fantastic Christmas.”

Now, to those who have decided to endure my disgusted. I shall endeavour to explain to you how a Christmas-loving Grinch can exist.

Christmas is a time of appreciating all one’s family and friends. A time when we write cards, buy presents and ring up that relative in Australia. I think it is a wonderful idea. But here is my Grinch side. Why in God’s name do we do that? Why on earth can we not do that anyway? I think that giving presents for Christmas is over-rated. Why can we not appreciate our family and friends every day? Why don’t we tell them we love them all the time? Should we not just send little notes reminding all these wonderful people that they are special anyway? (Because that is essentially what a Christmas card does.)

Christmas Day is on the 25th of December, right? Did I miss something? Because according to the Penney’s store in Sligo, it starts around September. Keep Christmas in December is what I say! Already I can hear the groans and “tut tuts” coming from you lot, but please, hear me out.

Christmas is a very important day of the year for the vast majority of people. Usually for religious, sentimental or materialistic reasons. (Although I doubt anyone will admit to that last reason!) So can we all please KEEP Christmas important and not spread it out to the point that a lot of people can’t wait until the lights along the streets are gone? Put your decorations up on December 8th and take them down January 6th. Like tradition tells us!

And so I shall desist in this article, you probably all hate me for hating what Christmas has become… But I don’t really care. I love Christmas. I love the way the shop is closed for two days and my mother gets two glorious days off.

I love the way that my whole family really are together.  I can’t wait until we get to see some stupid film on the TV together and we get to cook and eat the best dinner any of us have all year. Most of all, I can’t wait to wake up on December 25th and smile, because it’s Christmas.

By: Conor Bredin