Something
Emporium

Well, once again Christmas is in the air. The streets are lined with fairy lights, and all things red-white-and-green invade our community. We all look forward to see the faces of those we have chosen to give presents too, and wait in anticipation for the ones we are about to receive. What is it at this time of year that makes us drill into each other to have a merry Christmas?

I find it difficult to wish others a Merry Christmas. Why? I'm not sure. If someone were to wish me a merry Christmas, all I can muster is a strained 'you too'. I feel as if Christmas has drained from me. I could pass on the gifts, food, and the niceties of gathering with the family, and still be content. At the point of writing this, the only thing I am looking forward to is having a day off work. It is the same manner as I look towards the Saturday of every week. Why isn't Christmas the climax of the year, as it has been in much my previous life?

For me, Christmas has lost everything that I once looked forward to. No longer do I look forward to toys and sweets, nor ornamental gifts that people have chosen for me. I am truly grateful that they would spend time and money on something for me, but surely they find shopping for me as much of a chore as I do for them. I wouldn't want people to buy knick-knacks for me just because the new-age nature of Christmas instructs them to. And it is so difficult to find things that people would like to have. I find myself settling for any junk that only slightly hints at having use for the giftee. Is it worth it? Why isn’t ‘I couldn’t find anything that I thought would suit you’ a relevant reason for not giving? Why are we forced to buy crap for each other one day every year?

All I want for Christmas? With 100% honesty: a new pencil case and my own something emporium avatar.