Blogmas: Christmas magic is a hoax

There’s no such thing as Christmas magic. I mean, there is and there isn’t. 

I don’t care what you say, Christmas itself is not magical. Yes, if you are of Christian faith this day might mean much more to you than me, an open-minded atheist. Or if you come from a gift-giving family your celebrations may feel more merry than mine, a girl whose family doesn’t do gifts unless you remind them to.

The point is, I have recently learned in my 20-something years alive, that if you don’t make the effort there will never be Christmas magic. 

And I never had before. 

I was a scrooge from high school through college, and probably before but my memory has stopped serving me. So this is my formal apology to my Christmas loving ex-boyfriend and college roommate. I was a grouch that no amount of cookies could cheer. It makes sense why my favorite holiday flick was (is) Jim Carey’s “The Grinch"– I was literally him! 

However, with age my efforts and heart have both grown (we love a hero’s journey). I now listen to Christmas music throughout the month of December. I also attempt to decorate! This year I even stopped fixating on how much time it will take to put the decorations away long enough to actually enjoy the act. 

I gave gifts I knew my family and friends would love– and most importantly, use– without overdoing it. I participated in every holiday get-together my neighborhood put on, even when I wasn’t in the mood for Whoville cheer. Plus I made holiday themed drinks, feeling only slightly panicked about buying silly ingredients we won’t have a use for after the fact.

The point is I tried and it paid off. 

I was successfully in the Christmas spirit even though it’s been a consistent 67 degrees in San Diego all winter long. Even though the holidays are stress filled with travel and family bickering. Even though Santa no longer leaves me a pack of gum on Christmas day.

So yes, Christmas magic is a hoax. But if you put in enough effort, the Christmas spirit is not.