In exactly two weeks time, I will be sitting around the
living room with my family with the tree fully illuminated, watching Christmas
classics as we do every Christmas eve. I always look forward to the holiday
season and everything that comes with it. Although getting into "the Christmas
spirit", is merely a saying, the season really does have a physical and
emotional effect on our society. However, with only two weeks left until the
big day itself, I have found it difficult to get into the spirit. There are a
number of reasons that contribute to my lack of holiday cheer.
The first is the weather. It does not feel nor look like the
classic New England Christmas that I have come to expect. For me, it still
feels like October and November, and I still see people raking leaves. For the
past couple weeks the average temperature has been around 50 degrees. I haven't
even bothered taking out my winter coat yet. Another big problem with the
weather is the lack of snow. Now obviously I wish we had snow for other reasons,
(SKIING!), but for me, Christmas needs snow. It is so strange to drive around
and see Christmas decorations and lights with no snow around them. I hate
driving past houses with elaborate cheerful holiday decorations, only to be
ruined by the barren, and quite frankly, dead lawn. I know it's pretty cliché,
but I am really hoping for "a white Christmas".
The other big reason I'm not in the holiday spirit is
simply, college applications. I've doing a lot of the same for the past month
and a half now, and I can honestly say, I'm pretty sick of it. The monotony of
writing essays, sending scores, doing this and that over and over is starting
to get to me. Last weekend we put up and decorated our tree, a great holiday
tradition right? In our house it is typically a fun thing that we take the time
to enjoy together. This year is was about a 30 minute break in between doing
things for college. Luckily I am almost done with everything, so I can get back
to enjoying the "most wonderful time of the year"!.
I can totally agree with you on the hope for a white Christmas. When I hear Christmas music, it undoubtedly brings my mood up (even in the months of spring and summer). However, I must disagree with your feelings being bogged down by the situations this year; this time of year has a way of transcending everything and lifting my mood. I hope that the college process ends well and you can appreciate the Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteAfter this weekend, it still feels like September! I completely with you that this year really hasn't felt very festive, and I would say the stress of trying to crank out numerous college applications weighing down on me has definitely had a part in that. I was thinking a week or so ago that Christmas (if we ignore the religious significance for a moment) should be moved to the end of January or February, as you would be almost guaranteed a 'white christmas.' I think that would definitely elevate the festive feel, but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this has been a very weird holiday season. I don't remember the last time it was 60 degrees in the middle of December. College applications have also made this year very stressful for me as well. I barely remembered it was Hanukkah this past week and it feels really weird that it is already over. I guess I'll do all the celebrating once I finish everything and get into college.
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