by Mandy Nunes, Assistant Director
December 5, 2023
Ah, the Holidays. A season that is meant to bring connection, gratitude, love, hope, and joy. But for many, the holiday season can be extremely painful or difficult for a variety of reasons. I am not a religious person, so the spirit of Christmas for me may be different than many people. Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the “togetherness”, it’s in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it’s a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what’s important and become better versions of ourselves. I love the beauty of Christmas. We begin to decorate the first weekend after Halloween, so we can celebrate the season a little longer. My oldest daughter even has the middle name December, because being pregnant with her reminded me of the joy and love that I feel during that month. We love Christmas music and driving around to look at lights. And we also love being able to give the people we love thoughtful gifts.
This year the Christmas season has been more challenging for us. Due to delays with some state contracts going out, I had to be laid off from work for a little while. I was then brought back on under our family division, but the position is only 30 hours a week, not my usual 40. This created quite a financial hardship. We quickly realized that we likely wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas in the usual ways. We’ve had to humble ourselves, seeking assistance for Christmas gifts for our children, and relying on local organizations that help with food insecurity to get us through. Also, our kids are teenagers now, and this was the first year that the kids didn’t help with decorating the house and tree, preferring to spend their time doing other activities with their friends. Though we totally understand, it’s hard for parents to realize their babies are growing up!
As you can see, we’ve had a lot of additional stressors this year, stressors that can create barriers to really getting into the spirit of Christmas. But we have chosen to do things that reinforce our desire to celebrate. We’ve chosen to add some lights and additional dollar store decorations outside of our home, as well as making the inside very festive. We have been watching lots of Christmas movies, more than usual. I’ve done more holiday baking this year. I try to make it a point to listen to Christmas music for a little while every day. Even though we can’t afford our normal Christmas party with friends, we have set a time to all go out together to look at Christmas lights.
In the midst of these challenges, we’ve found that embracing the simple pleasures of the season has brought unexpected joy. There is a special warmth in the glow of extra lights, the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the shared laughter during a Christmas movie marathon. These small moments have become our refuge, providing a sense of normalcy and connection that transcends the financial hardships we face.
It's a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t solely defined by grand gestures or elaborate celebrations. It resides in the ability to find joy in the midst of adversity, to appreciate the love and togetherness that can be found even in the simplest of traditions. While we navigate the challenges of this holiday season, we've discovered that the essence of Christmas lies not in the abundance of presents under the tree, but in the richness of the love we share with our family and friends.
As we continue to find creative ways to celebrate within our means, we're learning that the true magic of Christmas is in the resilience of the human spirit. In the face of financial uncertainty and the realization that our children are growing up, we choose to focus on the enduring values of love, generosity, and the warmth that comes from being together. This holiday season might be different from the ones we've known before, but it's teaching us that the heart of Christmas isn’t found in the material aspects but in the intangible bonds that hold us close.
Our journey through this challenging holiday season has underscored the importance of embracing the true essence of Christmas. It's not about lavish gifts or extravagant celebrations, but about the enduring spirit of love, compassion, and connection. As we navigate the complexities of life, we find solace in the simple joys that this season brings.