I remember the winter holidays from my childhood fondly: a time filled with carefree laughter, shiny wrapping paper, festive parties with friends and family. But that’s what the holidays were like when I was a kid. Now, as a teenager, I’ve noticed that as we get older, we tend to get the short end of the stick. Teens feel unable to ask for what they truly want, as they often have more expensive wishlists as they get older. Adults spend money on presents and food and lights and decorations—an endless assortment of expenses, all while having to organize gatherings that become extravagant, stressful affairs. On the other hand, kids seem to be lavished with more presents than they could ever know what to do with. But I think Christmas can be just as exciting for teens and adults as it is for young kids.
Over the years, I’ve experienced with first-hand sorrow the dreaded process of ‘aging out’ of the holidays: gifts dwindle, I’ve been expected to buy things for everyone I know, and I have to engage in small talk with distant relatives. However, holiday cheer doesn’t stop after a certain age, and I would like more to look forward to than a boring pair of socks waiting under the Christmas tree.
People expect teens to want more practical presents, like clothes or shoes, but often this is not the case. This year, for example, I’ve been asked countless times if I have everything I need to prepare for college when all I really want for Christmas is a Squishmallow. I don’t want to stop asking for “childish” toys if they continue to bring me joy.
When buying for others, we don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money for a gift to be
appreciated; a handmade card or a homemade baked treat from a teen is just as special as if it were from a child. I definitely plan on whipping up some delicious cookies to share with friends. For adults, even though they have other responsibilities, the magic of the season doesn’t have to be lost. Fun family traditions, for example, can bring some much-needed excitement. Each year, my family uncovers boxes of loose parts to make Lego trains, fully functioning with remotes and battery-powered engines. All of the adults that help set them up seem to have almost as much fun as the kids do, adding ridiculous decorations and Lego amalgamations to the tops of the trains as they whiz by. Each family has their own traditions and activities that don’t have to be exclusive to the children.
No matter what holiday you celebrate, you’re more than likely to find a way to discover this joy, whether it be through games with family, lively conversations, or even just a delicious meal. There are so many things to do near Westview; just this year, I’ve gone to Christmas Card Lane to drink hot chocolate and see the decorations, visited the ice rink at the UTC mall to skate, and shopped with friends to find the best deals on presents. There’s no age limit on these activities, and I’ve seen people of all ages come out to enjoy the seasonal sights.
Most of us are not adults yet and we fear the day that responsibility overtakes the excitement of the holidays which looms closer each year. But in reality, that day never has to come. The holidays are meant to be a time of rest and relaxation, but above all, fun. Age doesn’t have to force us to sacrifice that enjoyment.
