Christmas as a Grown Up – Do Attitudes Change?
5 days until Christmas! My attitude towards Christmas has been rather different this year. It’s something that’s been on my mind over the last few weeks as we entered the festive season. I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m ‘grown up’ now, who knows, but I thought I’d share my feelings in case anyone else is in the same boat.
My family is not religious, yet we, like many families, still celebrate Christmas. Decorations, food, presents, family gatherings, games, music and films. That’s all part of this time of year for me. I love it.
We only put the Christmas tree away yesterday…
As much as I look forward to the festivities, it’s taken longer for the excitement to kick in in 2018. One thing that’s had an impact is getting older, and with that, time going by faster. In my house, we measure how quickly the year has passed by the putting up and down of the Christmas tree. It feels like only yesterday that we were decorating the house for Christmas 2017.
I think I am in denial that 365 days have flashed by and that’s why I’ve not soaked up the Christmas cheer until this last week. It’s a real wake-up call that time is precious and you have to live in the moment.
All grown up…
A magical part of Christmas is, of course, Father Christmas. Now that everyone is older in my family, there are no little kids rushing to their stockings in the morning (well, there’s still stockings, but a lie in is more important these days). Toys as presents are no more, and instead gifts of choice are items needed for survival, whether that’s something for a new home or extra money to support student living. I’m also in that stage when I know I’m going to be living at uni next year, so I won’t have to space to take lots of ‘stuff’ with me.
Enough with the bah humbug!
I bet you’re now thinking that I hate Christmas.
Oh no. I’ve just realised that my attitude towards the occasion has changed.
What’s important now and what I cherish about Christmas is the fact that it brings everyone together. The magic is not waking up as a kid desperate to see what ‘Santa’ has brought you. The magic is being with family, relaxing and having fun, eating good food (Xmas dinner = best meal ever), and living in the moment, surrounded by the warming glow of the lights on the Christmas tree.
What does Christmas mean to you? Has your attitude changed now you are older?
Megan x
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I can definitely relate to this. Christmas is definitely a very different experience when you’re older but, like you say, it is still appealing for different reasons! I much prefer being around my nieces at Christmas, as they’re only young and still believe in Santa so everything is really exciting which is contagious!
Aw yeah it definitely helps when other people close to you get really excited! x
I agree. It’s a very different experience and much more about others than myself.
I think the turning point is when you have to work on a Christmas day. That changes ideas and perceptions.
Oh, I should mention my last six Christmas days have been spent on Buddhist countries and the experience is, of course, different.
Still, play some Christmas classics and I get in the mood.
You’re right, of course if you work on Christmas day or are in a different culture, then the experience is very different. Some Christmas songs will always help though!
Loved this post! I totally agree I feel like the pace of the world we live in means that it’s difficult to slow down and enjoy this special time of you! Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones ?
Ellie
http://www.headintheclouds.me.uk
Thank you for the lovely comment. Merry Christmas to you too! x
Great post and I completely agree with the sentiments of it. I’m in my mid-30s so Christmas hasn’t been about Father Christmas for a long time now! I always appreciate spending time with my family during the festive season. Presents wise, I love to spoil my parents as sort of a thank you for all the years that they spoilt me. And I also have 2 nephews to buy for. But despite this, it’s the spending time together that I appreciate more than anything ❤
http://www.missblogsabit.com
I feel the same. I take pleasure in buying presents for other people now rather than receiving them. Even it’s just a small token to say thank you for everything. Spending time together is the most important part though x
I can definitely relate to this post! Christmas for me is more about catching up with old friends, seeing family, especially my little cousins because they love the festive season and relaxing. I feel like it’s the one time of the year where you can properly relax and forget about the bad things that have happened throughout the year and celebrate achievements and reminisce over the good memories that have passed
Fran | http://www.franciscarockey.co.uk
Perfectly summed up! I love the positivity of Christmas and seeing loved ones x
I totally agree with you on this one! As I’ve got older I do still like to wake up early but 7.30am is fine rather than the 6am get ups when I was a child. Christmas is still my favourite time of year but it’s definitely because of the time we get to spend with family and the magical feeling of the season! Although saying that I can’t wait to have my own children just to see their excitement on Christmas morning!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
Same! I still love pretending Father Christmas is real and would love to see the expressions on my children’s faces x
For me, Christmas is all about having time off work to spend it with your family, and of course eat lots of delicious food! But I too am feeling less excited about it as I get older so I try my best not to let it get to me
The food is good! I think you can still look forward to it without being over the top excited. This year I’ve looked forward to Christmas but in a calmer way X
This is sooo true! Me and my brother used to wake up at like 5am but now we both have lie ins in the morning. Oh how times change haha!
https://www.chloexlizabeth.com/
The same in my household. Sleep comes first!
I can definitely relate – my attitudes changed a lot after my parents got divorced but lots of people don’t understand that Christmas isn’t full of the fun family memories for me the same way it might be for others. Always okay to not enjoy something as much as we’re ‘meant to’
Absolutely. Christmas is different for everyone which is important to remember x