Opinion: Giving up Christmas — a new tradition
By Kathryn Reed
I have struggled with Christmas for a number of years. This is the first year I’ve chosen not to celebrate it. Leading up to this day has been liberating, we’ll see if I feel the same way when the day is over.
It’s been liberating because there are no decorations, no year-end letter to write, no shopping, no baking. Every day is just another day. And it’s a day in Tahoe, so that’s pretty darn special already.
I will be working on a story today, ironically, with a bit of a Christmas theme. But working on the holiday is nothing new. That’s the hazards of the news business. And personal beliefs must be cast aside when it comes to work.
For many years, Christmas was not celebrated on Dec. 25 in my family because of my schedule or my sister’s – she is in the medical profession.
But this will be the first Christmas I have chosen not to be with family.
If memory serves me correctly, I was 30 the first time I didn’t spend the holiday with my parents. They went off to see my sister in the Midwest; I was living in Las Vegas. I admit it was hard. A new tradition I wasn’t quite ready for.
I’m wondering how my mom and sister are reacting to me not being with them today when originally I said I would be there. A new tradition for them.
My struggles with Christmas are that I’m neither religious, nor do I believe in Santa. So, that leaves me asking the questions – What am I celebrating? And why?
I don’t need Christmas to appreciate my family and friends. I certainly don’t need to be buying presents for them or receiving any to show appreciation or feel appreciated.
I asked my mom, who is religious, years ago about why people give gifts at Christmas. Her answer didn’t satisfy me. If gifts are to be given to someone, why not do so on their birthday – when it’s all about them?
I don’t need Dec. 25 to signify having some special meal. I can do that whenever or on other occasions that I believe are worthy.
I like receiving cards from family and friends – more as a year-end wrap than to wish me a Merry Christmas. I actually like receiving snail mail.
I’m skipping sending out correspondence this year – for reasons that go beyond giving up on Christmas. My plan is for 2016 is to send out new year’s cards; or maybe in 2015 I’ll send something out on my birthday – the start of my personal new year. Whatever I decide, it will be another new tradition.
I still like seeing all the lights on buildings and friends’ houses decorated — even if I don’t truly get the point of it. And the holiday parties are wonderful — who doesn’t like a good party?
What I don’t expect to change is to wish people Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year. Nor am I offended when any of those greetings are said to me. No one means anything mean by expressing good times, good wishes upon someone. I won’t be offended in whatever way they are said to me.
Whatever you are or are not celebrating today or this December, enjoy. And don’t begrudge others their time to celebrate what is important to them on whatever day that may be. And don’t judge those who for whatever reason are not celebrating what you are celebrating.
Merry Christmas Kae !
However you spend your day, Kae, I want you to know how much the Lake Tahoe News (as an extension of you) is looked forward to, each and every morning. Even when out of town, you keep is connected to South Lake Tahoe.
We wish you the merriest of everythings! With an attitude of gratitude,
Denise & Steve
Thanks Kae, Good letter. I feel the same way, it’s just another day. It is special for me because it is my wife’s Birthday and that’s what we are thankful for and enjoy.
Merry Christmas to you and we love your paper everyday.
Thanks
Kae Reed, Thank you for being you and making Lake Tahoe News what it is today, Tahoe’s most widely read publication! An informative, insightful,interesting, thought provoking newspaper, with a good place to exchange ideas.
Keep up the good work and have a Happy New Year! OLS
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it
and a wonder filled day to the rest.
Thank you Kae. Blessings, Love and Light to All.
Enjoy the day Kae and all the days to follow!
“This day is all that is good and fair. it is dear with hope and invitation. Begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with old nonsense.” Author unknown
There’s an old expression for this attitude:
Bah humbug!
To the rest of you celebrating the day – Merry Christmas!
Wishing everyone a happy whatever doesn’t offend them along with good health, peace, and prosperity for 2015.
Spouse and 4-mer
I have felt the same as you do, for years. We haven’t had a Christmas tree for several years; what significance does that tree have for anything? Christmas has extended into reindeer, lights, presents, over-shopping, overeating, over spending. I remember during the recession, parents I knew didn’t have a talk with the kids about not having enough money this year; instead, they went into some debt to keep the children happy. I do put a poinsettia tablecloth on the table, and have some candles.
Also, no Christmas cards. It is all so phony to me.
Kea you missed the point Christmas is about the Power of God and the Forgiveness of Sins.
that is the greatest gift and it was given to everybody.
in order for you to grasp it you need to believe.
once I heard this quote from Anthony Blackman – Merry Christmas and for all of you that don’t believe have a nice day.
Time for “Festivus for the rest of us”!
Break out the aluminum poles and start the airing of grievances. After the traditional feast, we will let the feats of strength begin!
Christmas in Tahoe is more about dodging the tourists than anything else. The casinos don’t even play Christmas music anymore. Hard to get in the holiday spirit when you are listening to Boy George being played on the overhead!
Merry “whatever floats your boat” to all!
Great letter, Kae. I, too, do not celebrate Christmas. I do give holiday greetings to others and I am happy to receive them.
The commercialism of Christmas has caused the season to become one of retail craziness and greed. I have refused to shop on Black Friday or any other day associated with ‘Christmas sales’ and I will continue to boycott these sales.
The Winter Solstice occurs just a few days before Christmas. Why not celebrate the changing of the seasons?
All that being said….Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.
I’ll use any opportunity that I can to be thankful for all we have. Merry Christmas to all!
We watched a silly Christmas movie last night with Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim Allen and Dan Aykroyd… they tried to choose to not do Christmas either. They wanted to go on a cruise. Didn’t work out.
All the best to all of our little community and more. Thanks for making our community more of a community, Kae.
Merry Christmas to all! My commenting cohorts are always a joy to read! Kae has the best little newspaper this side of the Rocky Mountains!
Let’s all try to help one another in the new year.
Old Long Skiis
Cookies. Enough said. ;)
Haddi! Thanks for reminding me to place my aluminum ski pole and sign in the front yard! “Festivus for the rest of us” is alive and well on Knox ave. After the airing of grievences and eating Bison Stew, we will begin “the feats of strength”.
Have a good Thursday everyone! OLS
gosh chief ‘slow’ it’s beyond obvious that you are the one who has made missing the point way of life. and a happy saturnalia to ya!
Peace and Good Will to all! We still love Christmas. Having kids to pass the joyful traditions on to helps. And colored lights lift my spirits, connecting me to childhood feelings that I hope never totally diminish. And I learn something new each year on how to “handle” the holiday. If totally letting go is the answer, that can make total sense. The “pressure” involved needs to be let go of, for sure. I can’t think of a gift, when pressured to do so. But ideas come otherwise. I learned how to get a $10 permit for the first time this year and cut a fresh tree from the forest up there. We had our first neighborhood Christmas party and brought together many who normally keep to themselves. Lot of new blessings this year, which I hope everyone here experienced, in your own way.
My favorite part of this holiday season is the festive lights, the part I dislike is the over consumption of stuff.
okay…respect your atitude, but kinda sad
My first response was a general Christmas Spirit type, but getting back to the original message, Kae does indeed make “Debbie Downer” proud. No throwing a bone to any good that Jesus brought to the world? I recall her non-thankful Thanksgiving message as well, and have to wonder where this chip on her shoulder came from. It always surprises me to find such sour hearts in a place as lovely as Tahoe is. But it goes to show that no environment can change what is in your heart. I hope that Kae has a better 2015, but doubt that I can wish it without her resenting it for some reason.
Kae we all appreciate all the hard work you do to keep us informed with news, but maybe you are working too hard and forgetting what’s important in life. I’m sorry you cancelled being with your mom and sister after you committed to be with them. If you choose not to believe…often times Christmas is an excuse to have that planned time with family that we all seem to fall short of. There are many religious holidays that confuse people and we want concrete answers, but this is where we just need to have faith. I hope you fine peace and joy in the New Year! P.S.You are blessed to still have a mom & sister.
Amen, Kae.
Many Blessing in 2015 ! Thanks for the all you do to keep us informed !
Bravo!