Holiday Matters II

Ran down a couple things I don’t really care for when it comes to the holidays. In the interest of fairness, I think it’s a good idea if I talk about a few things I do care for as well.

1. Being Home

If you know me, you know nothing else had a chance of being first: not that I’m even ranking these things, but…this was going to be first. Matter of fact, everything else is likely going to derive from this. So be it.

There is nothing like a South Florida Christmas. Whether it’s the festivities, the weather that enables us to plan outside events and be comfortable, the multicultural flair that allows us to enjoy Mi Burrito Sabanero as much as Donny Hathaway’s rendition of This Christmas, or the fact that the streets just buzz with excitement (whether it’s the kids playing street football and riding bikes in the morning or the adults hitting the clubs at night); there’s no place like home.

2. Family

I would include friends here, but they spend Christmas with their families the same way I do with mine. I don’t eagerly await presents like I did when I was little, but there’s still much joy to be found in opening gifts. My mom still prefers for the three of us to open everything together: clueless as to why, but if she likes it then I’m all for it. Most of the time we eat dinner at one of my aunts’ houses, so we have it both ways (small stuff at the house and a big family event).

3. Presents

Shoot, why not…as I mentioned, presents don’t really mean a lot to me. I just get clothes and/or gift cards now. Can’t even get cash: ain’t that a blip. If nothing else, Christmas provides a chance to reload/update the wardrobe. I never have any place to wear whatever I get, but that’s another issue.

4. Being Off Work/Away From Here

This cannot be overstated: not when there are exactly zero days off between MLK Day and Memorial Day. It’s the lone extended break before a long stretch of grind. I have plans for when that grind ends, but those plans don’t change the fact that it’s fast approaching (let’s not even talk about the odd-year session and all the freshman legislators). The holidays provide an excuse to take a much-needed weeklong break from this place.

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Funny thing is, if I went home for a week around the time of my birthday I’d get most of the same things (and not have to worry about buying gifts). I guess the lesson to learn from that is…every day can be a holiday: it just depends on how you choose to spend it.