I love Christmas. I love celebratin it. Just because I'm an atheist does not mean that I should hate Christmas. Just because Christmas has Christ in it doesn't mean it just belongs to Christians. Much of it is pagan.. Gift giving ,for example, is influenced by the Roman tradition of Saturnalia.
Stay engaged if you enjoy it. The more ‘Pagan’ I got, the fewer folks I could find to celebrate. We’d ‘celebrate’ the Solstice ...though it was lucky to get an honorable mention during the weather report ..between back to back C-mess ads. The kids soon realized nothing miraculous occured, it just got dark even sooner
...then, four days later… surrounded by doting inlaws - an avalanche of gifts! ..laughing, I don’t miss that shit… Now days, my daughters call when it’s subsided to describe the scene. It can dig into you deep, though… seems like you either totally withdraw, or emerge yourself in some way. If you’re good with emergence, enjoy You’ll know where to find me ~
While I don’t LOVE it, I participate. I’m singing with the choir at my parents church. Probably going to a midnight mass on 12/24. For me it’s about the music, everyone on my gift list is getting donations made in their name to the charity or nonprofit of their choosing, I’m volunteering at the local food bank.
I don’t decorate, haven’t had a tree since 1998 that was only because my son was 3.
What can I say? I’m a giver.
Hmmm.... I love what it does to children. Stars in thier eyes. Dreaming of presents and magical things. It is sad that some have to suffer from parents with no money. I just love the family time.
As a former Jew who was not allowed to celebrate the holiday I celebrate the joy of giving and the culture.