There are two types of people in the world—those who adore Christmas and, well, everyone else. I proudly belong to the first group. The latter? They just don’t get it.
I’m the type who cranks up the holiday tunes as early as November, sets up the tree right after Thanksgiving dinner, and watches Love Actually on repeat. For me, it’s not just about the holiday’s religious significance; it’s about the magical feelings Christmas brings—sparkles, nostalgia, warmth. In short, I’m typically like Cindy Lou Who.
But not this year.
Lately, the thought of belting out “O Holy Night” makes me want to scream. Watching Love Actually? Yeah, that just feels cringe-worthy. Planning safe, socially distant family get-togethers? It makes me want to cry and take a nap. Everything feels utterly exhausting.
Even wrapping presents—a task I usually relish—has become a stressor, knowing my kids will be around non-stop. We typically gift experiences, but this year, many of those options—like traveling or attending events—are off the table.
On top of that, the general malaise I’ve been experiencing is quite overwhelming. The pandemic continues to wear me down, and I’m feeling it physically: my jaw aches, I have a persistent headache, and my neck and shoulders are knotted up. Sleep is elusive thanks to constant anxiety. It’s hard to muster excitement for anything when I feel like this.
At best, I’m feeling indifferent about Christmas this year; at worst, I’m embracing my inner Grinch.
And frankly, I hate it.
I don’t want to be this way. I want to embrace the holiday spirit, not fast-forward through it. After all, it truly is the “most wonderful time of the year.”
So, I’ve decided to battle my inner Grinch. When it comes to holiday cheer, I’m going to fake it till I make it. Sure, I might end up a bit like that character from Christmas Vacation who goes a little “hap-hap-happiest Christmas this side of the nuthouse” crazy—but so be it.
I’ve already set November 4 as “Operation Holiday Cheer.” We’re going to light some cookie-scented candles, hang up lights, and maybe even play some Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole. Who cares if we’re breaking holiday norms? It’s 2020, and the world feels like it’s on fire. “Rules” are irrelevant at this point.
Sure, we might still be in the midst of pumpkin spice season, and I don’t even know if we have a turkey thawing in the freezer (who am I kidding, we don’t). But desperate times call for desperate measures, and I’m determined to channel my inner Cindy Lou.
It may seem odd to hang up tinsel while leaves are still scattered around the yard, but who cares? This year has been a rollercoaster, and while I appreciate the importance of gratitude, I’m not keen on decorating for a holiday with complicated origins. I want to banish the dullness of falling leaves and embrace some festive cheer.
I crave sparkle, glitter, and bright red ornaments nestled among silver tinsel. I want twinkling lights and jingle bells. Sure, we may not be able to gather and sing around a giant tree like the Whos, but I refuse to be a grumpy Grinch.
So, instead of waiting until after Thanksgiving to dive into the Christmas spirit, I’m hauling those red and green bins up from the basement tomorrow. I’ll sing along to Bing Crosby as I deck the halls. I plan to binge-watch Elf 17 times and laugh along with Clark Griswold as he loses it in Christmas Vacation. After all, we’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed this year, aren’t we?
So yes, I might be feeling a bit Grinch-y. Maybe you are too. But I’m determined to fight it, because we could all use a little more Cindy Lou in our lives right about now.
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Summary:
This year, the author expresses a departure from her usual Christmas enthusiasm, feeling overwhelmed by pandemic stress and a desire to fast-forward through the holiday season. Despite feeling Grinch-y, she resolves to reclaim her joy by bringing holiday cheer early, surrounding herself with festive decorations and music, and embracing the spirit of Christmas, even in challenging times.