The fireplace blazing, presents piled under a tree, snow on the ground, food cooking on the stove and an entire family spending time together generate a world of peace and warmth inside of a house. This scene of a perfect Christmas inspires excitement for many, no matter what time of the year. As the weather turns, these feelings increase tenfold.
While many factors contribute to the excitement of the season, most of them stem from nostalgia.
Christmas brings back memories of childhood, causing people to be reminded of the excitement of their younger selves during the holidays. “I still track Santa on my phone every year and get anxious that if I don’t go to bed early enough, he won’t be able to come… I will always believe in Santa Claus,” expressed junior Ava Neitzel
Similarly to Thanksgiving, Christmas is also one of the few times a year when extended families get together to enjoy good food and reconnect with their loved ones. “Knowing that I get to spend time with family relatives that I haven’t seen in a long time makes me very excited as it is hard to find time to see them in everyday life,” commented junior Ezra Welch
Christmas also offers entertainment often ignored during the rest of the year.
While many argue about the correct time to listen to Christmas music, it still has an important purpose in spreading the Christmas fever. Music forms strong connections with people’s memories, and the easily recognizable style of Christmas music has been connected to feelings of hope, family and love by its listeners.
Along with music, many beloved movies come with the holiday season. Whether a goofy movie like Elf, a romantic Hallmark movie or a classic like White Christmas, people look forward to watching their favorite films all year long.
Christmas is also a time when the community comes together. Even though not everyone celebrates Christmas, the holiday season raises many people’s spirits and brings good feelings to the whole community.
The community spirit is enhanced by the music, movies and decorations that make up the season. “I love the way every single person goes absolutely bonkers and Christmas is everywhere you look. You cannot go in public for the entirety of December without hearing Christmas songs everywhere you go,” remarked Neitzel.
The timing of Christmas, at the end of the year and the start of winter, increases the excitement of the season.
Christmas is positioned at an optimal time for providing people with a break from work and school. This allows people to relax before the rush of a new year, which increases the excitement of the season as people look forward to the break.
Also, having the time to celebrate Christmas makes the cold weather easier to bear. While many do not enjoy having snow on the ground, their disdain is reduced as snow is part of a “perfect Christmas”.
Additionally, as the winter leads to more darkness and days are shorter, Christmas decorations light up the night. Between lights outside of houses and Christmas trees lit up in windows, these decorations provide brightness even in the dark of winter.
And, of course, presents. The average American spends $826 over the holiday season. The holiday season is a perfect excuse for people to abandon their typical constraints and spend time shopping.
Christmas brings out the best in people, as the season brings joy to communities all over the world. To many people, Christmas is, as Andy Williams once sang, “The most wonderful time of the year.”
