MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK AND YOU’LL MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS MAGIC

TARA CALLUM | Contributing columnist

With unseasonably mild days and the threat of yet another variant, it can be difficult for things to look a lot like Christmas.

What is the season supposed to be anyway?

It can create a lot of pressure. People go into debt piling presents to the ceiling. We overindulge on baking and treats.

Some people think those who say “Happy holidays” should go straight to hell. Or if a coffee shop take-out cup isn’t festive enough it’s a “war on Christmas.”

And if all things aren’t merry and bright, and you’re not transformed by all the magic, you’re a Grinch and a Scrooge.

Technically a birthday party for a carpenter from Nazareth, it transformed into a spectacle of consumerism, but at its heart Christmas is a time for miracles where hardened hearts can be transformed.

There are toy drives and kettles for the Salvation Army.

Giving to those less fortunate is a part of the tradition, along with the TV specials. And the many songs that can start playing much too early on the radio and the too soon transformation of the dollar store seasonal aisle.

If you could have any kind of holiday, what would it look like? Would you ditch winter for the beach?

Because of travel restrictions, we can’t do that, but because of the upheaval of the past two years, we have every reason to do things a different way, or to start new traditions.

Maybe you want to change into your sweatpants and wine cardigan and binge watch all the Hallmark and Netflix Christmas movies.

Or grab the snow shovels and do snow removal for neighbours. Volunteer at a community meal. Teach the kids how to prepare the turkey step by step.

Several years ago in my family we decided not to exchange gifts anymore, except for grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Some families do Secret Santas and draw names and only buy for one other person.

When I was in university one of my professors told us that his family took the money they would usually spend on a tree and gifts and gave out meal gift cards to the homeless.

It’s been a while since I’ve been home for Christmas, so I’m homesick for a family holiday. Christmas breakfast. The fireplace channel. Christmas music all day. Our holiday meal on the dishes from the China cabinet.

I need to be around to eat my favourite Christmas baking — the new rule is if it doesn’t get eaten it doesn’t get made the next year.

If you could ask Santa for anything, what would you wish for? If you were visited by a ghost of the present, past, and future, what lesson would you like to learn? How would you like to be transformed?

Perhaps you want to enjoy the holidays like you always have.

If our efforts are met with eye-rolling or less enthusiasm than we’d like, it can be hurtful.

But we need to temper our expectations. We can’t stuff a year’s worth of joy and good tidings into one holiday. Studies have shown that half of Canadians suffer over the season with anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness.

Is there any Christmas magic? Does there need to be? If we make our own luck, maybe we make our own magic too.

Tradition doesn’t have to be something we blindly follow, or something that binds us to the joy or expectation of the past.

Whatever you do this season, I hope it’s restive, restorative and you find time for reflection and activities that make you and your friends, family and community feel joyful and happy.