CALLUM SKEFFINGTON

A SIMPLER, MORE HUMBLE CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME

OF JOY and celebration. It is a time for sharing and caring, but above all else it is a time of traditions. Much like everything that has (or hasn’t) happened this year, those traditions will be somewhat different to those of Christmas’ past.

The big bad COVID monster has huffed and puffed and ruined this whole year, and it will unfortunately continue to lurk outside our windows as we huddle together around our Christmas trees. However, if this year has taught me anything, it is to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures of my everyday life, and maybe this lesson needs to be applied to Christmas too.

In recent years, I have honestly struggled to find any Christmas spirit within me. This is probably due to Christmas starting in early October thanks to the commercial aspects of the festive season. The festive season is played out to the point that one Christmas is no sooner over until the following one creeps up on you. This year I know that some people have decorated their homes already, simply as a pick-me-up after the year we’ve all been having, but I personally still think it has begun too soon. I have already heard Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas too many times; and it’s sad because I really love that song. I feel like Christmas is being shoved down my throat for two full months, and too much pressure is put on us all to be giving, and receiving, the most elaborate presents; do people really need to share their gifts all over social media like it’s a competition of who is the most spoiled? I read once that parents should be giving their children less Santa presents, and giving the bigger, more expensive presents from themselves, because when one child shows up to school with their new iPad from Santa, those kids from families unable to afford such gifts are left feeling a fabricated sense of unworthiness in the eyes of this fictional man. I don’t have kids, but still this resonated with me, and I think it is something to consider before you post photos of your presents all over social media. Maybe some of those people who are following you have much bigger things to worry about this year, like being able to afford the basic necessities, never mind the extravagance of your Christmas.

Hopefully we can all appreciate a simpler, more humble Christmas period, because we probably won’t have any other choice.

Every Christmas Eve night since we were kids, my sister will ask me the exact same question; “What time are you getting up tomorrow?” Every Christmas morning, without fail, my Dad will lead us into the living room, first peeking his head in and saying to us “I wonder if Santa’s been here?” As children we loved the suspense. As adults I guess it is fair to say we tolerate the Dad-senseof-humor. Our presents will be left in our two big Christmas bags, and as a family we will all sit in the living room, opening our presents whilst our cats play with the boxes and wrapping paper. My Dad and I will have ridiculously large portions of pavlova, before and after our Christmas dinner, and then we all divide off to nap or watch TV.

I guess as we get older and certain truths about Christmas become apparent to each of us, and what once made Christmas magical is lost throughout the years. The traditions we uphold are what keeps the magic alive in some way.

The Christmas markets have already been cancelled. For some it will be an especially lonely holiday season, due to isolating and social distancing regulations. It seems to be unlikely that there will be any nights out over the Christmas period. The chances of us celebrating New Years in Kremlin are next to none, but that does not mean that the festive season has been ruined.

Three years ago, when I was working in a coffee shop and was stuck on a slow shift between Boxing Day and New Year, the most incredible thing happened that has stayed with me ever since. A young family came into the store and bought a bottle of water, a sandwich, a muffin and a cup of tea. The mother asked for a carrier bag, and told me that it was for the homeless man who was sitting around the corner. The two young children didn’t once cry for a brownie or caramel square for themselves; they actually didn’t buy anything for themselves. This, to me, seemed like an amazingly selfless act, and a great example that those parents were setting for their two Children. Not to sound like a pompous cliché, but I think this is a good example of the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ we all talk about so much.

Christmas is a time that we all find ourselves in a mad dash to buy Christmas presents, and many struggle to find the time and money to really make Christmas one to remember. But the money, the presents, the decorations, are all immaterial. Christmas is a time for love and cheer, a time for making memories, to last throughout the year. We should all appreciate those who are congregating around the tree with us, more than the presents under it. In saying that, I hope everyone gets treated to a sexy new jockstrap this Christmas.

Follow me online: Instagram: @catchingupwithcallum

This is an opinion piece from the columnist/contributor and not the opinion of GNI MAG / Romeo & Julian Publications Ltd.