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Health & Fitness

What is is About the Holiday Season that Makes People Happy? It may not be what you think....

Happy Holidays! Saying it now seems a bit more applicable today than it did on October 10, 2012, the day I asked my fabulous Editor, Teresa Lipsey, if she had any ideas on what I should write about for the December issue. One of her suggestions was an article about why the holiday season makes people happy.

Well, one thing I have learned about the world of magazine column writing, sometimes you are writing about things that are about 6 weeks away. So, it is October 11 in New Jersey, a balmy 68 degrees Farenheight, and I am not even feeling it. My mind is on getting my son a Halloween costume and preparing for a Halloween party we are having this weekend. In usual fashion, I go home that evening and the conversation over dinner is about my dilemma.

What is it about the holidays that makes people happy, makes people feel festive? My 8 year old quickly chimes in with the answer, “Mom, it is about spending time with family.” Well, yes she is absolutely right. However, my psychologist mind set kicks in and I think to myself, there are many people who don’t enjoy spending time with family or don’t have family to spend the holidays with. This thought is interrupted by my 3 year old chiming in with, “Santa comes and give presents.” Again, yes she is right, for most children the holidays involve some sort of gift giving and children always look forward to gifts. However, it still wasn’t resonating with me. I chalked it up to the balmy weather and put the article writing on hold.

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Well, fast forward to November 4, 2013. I still haven’t written the article and I am still struggling with what to write about. Having the personality style very opposite to a procrastinator, this isn’t sitting well with me. The article is due in 6 days and my psychologist mindset is arguing with my own mindset. I keep thinking to myself for so many people the holidays are stressful, family visits bring up issues, and then for others they have bad associations of the holiday season or do not have anyone to spend the time with. How the heck do I write an article that respects their feelings? Ugh! Not sure what to do, I go out to run errands and end up at the Short Hills Mall. From the moment I enter, the holiday music is playing, the entire place is decorated with holiday decorations, and the center of the mall is all set up waiting for Santa’s arrival. Okay, I may not be ready to write about the holidays but they are coming and at the Short Hills Mall in NJ they are already here. As I run around the mall looking for a dress and pants for my daughter I realize the jolly music, the big shiny decorations, the Santa snow globe display, the blue lights and menorah, are not only pretty but are brightening my mood. Later that day, I am driving my two youngest children to the local supermarket and the request from the backseat is to listen to Christmas Music. So, as most parents would do, I abide by their request and we spend the car ride singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” The kids are thrilled and happy. I think to myself, another reminder to get this article written. Well, it doesn’t happen and on November 8, my husband and I take the children to the Mall (going to the Mall two times in a week is unprecedented for us, lol). Well, low and behold not only is decorated in full holiday glory but Santa is there waiting for the kids. My two youngest quickly run up to him, my son (my middle child age 6) asks him where he parked the reindeer, if he has been busy at work this year, and tells him he would like a car for Christmas. My 3 year old sits on his lap and my 8 year old does ballet twirls for him, all before sitting to pose for a picture with him. It was at that moment, the culmination of the past week’s events hit me.

There are many reasons the Holiday Season may lift our spirits. It may be because we get to spend time with family and friends who we do not regularly see or maybe we get to spend more time with them. We have more opportunities to get together with people. Holiday parties at work, with friends, socials at church, concerts at school, all provide us with more reasons to socialize, dress up, and enjoy time with others. Favorite holiday shows such as “Santa Claus is coming to town,” “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown.,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” provide hours of escape and holiday pleasure. Special meals, Christmas cookies, setting up the Menorah, decorating the tree, provide us with routine and time with family and friends.

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However, it was at the moment my children sat on Santa’s lap with their faces glowing, listening with baited breathes to every word he said that I realized for many the magic and happiness of the Holiday Season resides in the hope it gives. Just as my children who sat on Santa’s lap are hoping for a car or baby doll, as we grow our hopes and dreams grow and change, but the emotions remain the same.

For each year that passes the rituals, traditions, and meaning of the season in many ways remain the same, there will still be lights at the Mall, there will still be the Rockefeller Tree Christmas Lighting in New York City, Santa will still arrive at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, menorahs will still be lite, Christmas cookies baked, and people will be kissed under the mistletoe. However for everything that comes with the holiday season, there is also the belief of hope. Hope that this will be the best Holiday season yet, hope that time with family will be peaceful, hope that family traditions will continue to be passed down and new ones created, hope that there will be peace on earth and goodwill toward all, with the knowledge and belief if it doesn’t happen this holiday season… it will happen next year.

Wishing you all hope for this holiday season.

With peace and good will-

Alicia

Please visit www.fashionaffairmagazine.com to see the full article.


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