I’ve loved the Holiday Season since I was a kid. While one of the perils of growing up in Florida is that I can count my “white Christmases” on one hand, I love the pageantry of it, the decorations and the twinkling lights, the ever-present mall Santas and the pushing crowds.
My parents never understood my addiction, especially since we’re practicing Jews and my interest was pretty confined to Christmas. Still, half my family’s Catholic, and I’ve spent 21 years embracing that fact every time the end of December rolls around.Part of it’s the music, since everyone enjoys a good carol now and then, as I write about in The Brow. Hanukkah music just doesn’t measure up, as much as we all love that kid’s song about dreidels.
Religion was never a big part of the holidays for me, even at Northwestern where tons of student groups offer the opportunity to share the holidays with your on-campus family (as you can read about in our story on religious celebrations). While I did go to one Christmas mass to watch my cousins sing, I’m much more likely to be itching to get to the mall for one last shop than go to services for Hanukkah. That is, if there are services for Hanukkah (it’s probably bad that I don’t know).
The thing is, there’s something to be said for a season that’s all about shopping and spending time with the people you love. For those who don’t know me, those are basically my two great joys in life.
All the ridiculous stuff that usually drives me nuts about my family, my town or whatever just goes away on Christmas. Maybe that’s why I’m less into Hanukkah – that sort of fantasy life just isn’t sustainable over a whole eight days, some of which we’re usually in school.
Even in college, winter break has a weird magic to it. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim or really into Festivus, every college student deals with the bizarre time warp that happens the moment you’re sleeping in your own bed after months away. Suddenly your curfew’s back, your friends all got weird haircuts and tattoos and you realize you’re no longer the person you were at prom.
(For tips on not acting like a jerk as you’re figuring all that out, check out the article on how to handle your first winter break.)
Sadly, for all I know I’ll be halfway across the world during next year’s holiday season. Like so many seniors, I have no job and a giant, gaping hole in my life plan (Thanks, economy.) and could be anywhere during the month of December, when in the United States. we’re putting up Christmas trees and menorahs and watching “Home Alone” on repeat.
On another note, thank you O.C. for making Chrismukkah a valid life choice. I maintain I came up with the idea long before Seth Cohen did. If you’re into the non-traditional latkes, check out the deliciously unorthodox recipe.
One of our Editors explains why the “Home Alone” trilogy are the best holiday movies ever, for all you closet Macaulay Culkin fans out there.
On that note, we’re happy to present you with the Holiday Guide, my last fling with the Daily and maybe even with the U.S. Holiday season. Make your break count, and we’ll be back to regular publication on Jan. 5. Now go eat some Christmas cookies!
