FACE-OFF: ARE HOLIDAYS MORE EN JOYABLE AS YOU AGE?

Holidays are a large part of people’s lives from when they are old enough to understand what holidays are to when they have huge families of their own to share them with. Although some people may view them as just a break from the normal days filled with boring work or school, the holidays bring families together to worship, celebrate and enjoy each other’s presence. Some argue that holidays peak during childhood because they have more fun opening presents, eating all of the food adults spent time preparing, or running around with cousins or siblings instead of experiencing the true meaning of the holidays like adults do. With age comes the ability to fully appreciate loved ones’ company, as well as getting to see them open the presents picked out especially for them. Normally kids are the main recipients of presents during gift-giving winter

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The approach of winter brings with it plates of turkey, dreams of flying sleighs and a dazzling night of fireworks. Holidays are times of celebration and wonder, and who better encompasses the magic of the seasons than children? Perhaps adults are better at grasping the history behind the festivities, but is it so wrong to relish in the mystical side of the holidays? Afterall, age only eats away the creative awe the seasons spark. “Ignorance is bliss'' applies best in this context. To kids, holidays symbolize eating delicious food, seeing old family, opening presents and enjoying days off from school. “Kids can believe in the magic of holidays without the overbearing burdens adults deal with,” senior Emily Kim ELLA CHO, news editor

holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, and as people age, the gift-receiving tapers off. Instead, adults are supposed to go and buy gifts for the kids. Some may argue that holidays are not as fun when you no longer get to tear open a bunch of wrapped boxes filled with the latest toys, but studies have shown that gift-giving actually releases more endorphins than gift-getting. During a study in 2006, scientist Jorge Moll from the National Institute of Health found that “when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust, creating a ‘warm glow effect.’” He also found that “altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the ‘helper’s high’,” or in this case, ‘giver’s high.’” Maybe adults don’t have to be jealous of getting presents and it is kids who should be jealous of them.

said. “There’s no worrying about school the next day, but adults usually have to go back to work after getting only a day or two off.” For students, Thanksgiving break is a week long and winter break is two. For adults, some might get the same one or two week break, but it comes from their paid vacation. Some only get a day off. Maturity has benefits, but it destroys the magic that holidays used to bring. While kids go to bed waiting for Santa Claus to land on their roof, adults go to bed running through their work schedule for the next day. This doesn’t mean adults never enjoy holidays like children do. As sad as it is, parents are the ones taking time out of their busy schedules to plan an enjoyable holiday for their kids. “The For kids, holidays are a carefree time filled with presents and good food cooked up by a cluster of relatives. However, as these kids get older and the material aspect is diminished, spending time with others, what the holidays are meant to be about, becomes the focus. Holidays bring together the grandma that lives across the country, the sibling that goes to college up north and all of the relatives that are not seen on a day-to-day basis. This makes holidays special for all members of the family, but especially for those who do not have presents to look forward to, or who have known these members longer than, say, the 6-year-old nephew. That is what holidays are all about, spending time with one another by partaking in family traditions and gathering together. Presents are temporary, but family memories are forever. IZZY WILEY, staff writer

older you get, the more stress you get. It’s not just receiving gifts anymore,” senior Isabella Lin claims. Kids don’t need to think about organizing events or spending money. They get to reap the hard work of the adults, and no one can yell at them for doing so. It’s their job to be free and naive while adults are expected to be diligent and accountable. Age doesn’t just take away anticipation for stories to come to life; it takes away freedom and time as well. Holidays will always remain as some of the most joyous days for people, old or young. An opportunity to celebrate religion or ancestors brings a wave of relaxation and new beginnings. Still, between the young and the old, the young are who will truly get the most out of festivities.