Its definitely Christmas time. Everyone out and about being cheery, shopping, wishing one another a happy holiday or Merry Christmas, etc. It all actually really bothers me. People shopping literally fighting over the best deals on items that they wouldn't normally be spending the money on. The fake smiles put on as they wish one another a "Merry Christmas" while in the back of their minds stressing over the expense, the hassle of dealing with the crowds, and the extra work of having to put up and take down decoration. Visiting family that they don't necessarily care for, putting on heirs that all is well, wishing for peace on earth but in the back of their minds thinking that they can't wait to leave and not have to deal with one another for another year. Then again maybe I'm seeing things wrong. Perhaps the smiles aren't fake. Perhaps the vast majority of the people participating believe that by being cheery for the last bit of the year makes up for all the insensitive, uncaring, or oblivious behavior that they display the rest of the year. You see the donation boxes all around this time of the year filling up, the people collecting for the needy and less fortunate. I hate to be the bearer of bad news to these "kind and caring" folks, but people are in need all year long.
You may have guessed by now that I don't care much for the holidays. I myself will not deny that one bit. The facades that most (I'll qualify myself by throwing in that some people may be genuine and that their holiday spirit may spread throughout the rest of the year) drive me mad. No one is perfect, granted I could do more throughout the year also, no doubt. The difference lies in the fact that I don't go around pretending to be especially happy and generous at Christmas time. I try to be the best person that I can be all year long.
I'm not all bah humbug about everything however, please do not mistake my ranting as such. I recently attended a holiday party at church (church is another issue about Christmas that drives me mad). I for one do not attend church regularly, but do enjoy the church gatherings (not services, but more the extra curricular gatherings). While at this party a patron of the church dressed up as Santa and allowed the kids to do their thing while getting a picture taken with him. I must say that the glow of excitement in the kids' eyes when they saw him was heart warming. I think that this is the only redeeming that that I have witnessed this holiday season thus far.