I Hate Christmas

For as long as I can remember I’ve hated Christmas. Now this hate for Christmas probably started when I realised I wasn’t going to get everything on my Christmas list and my mum would make my sisters and I wrap our own presents (can you imagine). I would always try to muster up some excitement for the upcoming Christmases, after all, it’s one of the biggest and most loved holidays on earth, but… Christmas and I just never clicked.

Growing up things weren’t always smooth sailing at home; from the pile of bills on the table, to family discord, something was always up. I always envied the happy narrative displayed on the TV adverts every December because that wasn’t my reality, I envied hearing about people’s family traditions because we didn’t have any, I was always jealous of how people’s families came together to share such precious moments with one another because it felt like mine was always falling apart.

For as long as I can remember I’ve hated Christmas and to my surprise these feelings still stick with me and I haven’t grown out of it like I thought I would. However, the irony of this is, despite my sisters and I having very similar experiences, they, my older sister in particular, became so motivated for us to have better memories. Recently she has taken the lead and not only organises our Christmases now but has initiated some new family traditions, traditions I thought we’d never have. If I’m being completely honest, I’ve grown to really love some aspects of the day, like when we eat food and open gifts- who wouldn’t!

And whilst I acknowledge not everyone may have a certain loved one in their lives and may be feeling somewhat down this period, I would like to share a few things I have learnt in the past year or two from this experience of mine.

We have the means to re-write our stories. Our lives are not all “doom and gloom” and despite it seeming that way at the start, you have the ability to change some things around and give yourself the chance to have the best happy ending. (Mental)

Brighten up your space. I’ve always appreciated the lights that go around a Christmas tree and one of my favourite things to do is to turn them on in the dark and have only them on whilst listening to my favourite playlist. I’d encourage you to open the curtains in the morning, get some fairy lights, put on your favourite playlist, get in the kitchen and make your favourite dish. Do something that will brighten up your space. (Practical)

Try something new. Be open to the possibility that things won’t always be bad for you; put yourself out there and reach out to someone, try a new meal, help at a community foodbank, accept help from your community foodbank, start a new tradition e.g. let’s start naming 3 things we’re grateful for every Christmas morning. (Practical/ Mental)

If you’re wondering whether “I hate Christmas” still, let’s just say my favourite Christmas movie is “The Grinch” for different reasons (I’m getting there).

“Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” – Kung Fu Panda

Merry Christmas & A Happy Happy Happy Happy New Year

(*Happy… an extra one for luck!)

P.S. For those of you eager to make something good out of what’s left of 2020 I’ve compiled a list of activities and community organisations you can volunteer with or simply attend : )

Local Foodbank (Hammersmith & Fulham):

hammersmithfulham.foodbank.org.uk

Local Foodbank (Ealing):

ealing.foodbank.org.uk

Volunteering opportunities:

https://www.caritasvs.org.uk/coronavirus.php

Christmas baking recipes:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/christmas-baking-recipes/2

A 2020 friendly Christmas bucket list:

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g2801/christmas-bucket-list/

Christmas movies to get stuck into:

https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-50-best-christmas-movies