It’s no secret; Christmas has gone the way of the superstar. Sold to the highest bidder for the making of greeting cards, collectable tree ornaments and happy-go-lucky commercials about polar bears who drink the ultimate cola and smile—it’s so warm and fuzzy. All seriousness aside, though, what happened to the old days of cider, eggnog, roasting chestnuts, snowflake sweaters and camaraderie? Carolers might still sing out on your stoop, but will undoubtedly pass the hat so they can take advantage of wrapping paper sales on the 26
We all long for the days when Christmas wasn’t about the wallet, while we stand in line at Bath and Body Works buying three different scents of sea salt scrub and deciding later who should get which one. Somewhere on the historical path to holiday cheer we took the trail less traveled by, and that has made all these differences.
As individuals we strive to avoid the commercialization of Christmas, but still feel the tug of society at our sleeve, so we empty our pockets to buy gifts for intimate strangers. We do as we must to keep up with Jones’s, but as college students the demand to buy each other tea samplers and jelly sets can put a strain on our already struggling bank accounts.
There may be a solution, however, that will allow one stone to knock out two birds, or at least strike them with brutal force. Between finals and Beirut we are provided with ample opportunity to supply everyone on our Christmas list with something affordable and, even more importantly, from the heart. Although giving homemade gifts went out of style with tight rolled pants, there’s a certain element of thoughtfulness that springs from it and warms you like hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps. I remember details of my childhood about as well as a hippie remembers 1969, but one sure thing that sticks out is giving construction paper cards and crayon scribbles out by the handfuls. It may not have been much, but it’s what I had to give.
Maybe a rough sketch of a purple-colored dog isn’t the best choice to hand to the grandparents this year, but something that’s from you instead of a store might evoke a little more spirit than you’d expect. I know that I would rather get a well-written Christmas card this year than the giftinator 5000. A new car would be nice, or a trip to Ireland, but I don’t require flashy presents void of thought. Giving a homemade gift shows effort and caring, not that a bought gift doesn’t, but either way the gift should be meaningful.
There are a lot of talented people at this school who have a craft they might normally take for granted, but should really learn to harness come the time Rudolf plays on TV. Artists can draw a picture, musicians can write a song, writers can write a poem. If you have the talent, a home-sewn pair of gloves or a newly knit scarf might do more than protect from the cold.
Even the exchange of homemade gifts might be overlooking the importance of this or any holiday season. When did gifts become such a staple that we have to feel bad for not giving them? There is so much a person can do to show a little love this way or that way. Bring your mom a cup of coffee or split a sandwich with someone. Give that special someone a coupon book full of foot massages, cooked dinners, or ‘anything goes’. Even your roommate might deserve a small collage of pictures featuring the two of you or some close friends.
Whatever you decide to do this holiday season, don’t get too over-consumed with either the store-bought Christmas or the homemade Christmas. The truth is, the days of old are gone. People don’t write with pens anymore, and in keeping with our techie ways, we no longer string popcorn together for garland. We’ve progressed and, apparently, so has our tradition. But that nostalgic road of celebration is not out of reach. A couple of crayons, some glue, and a little construction paper might bring us back, just so long as we know we are moving forward.