10 Things about Christmas that Drive You Crazy

1. Last-Minute Mayhem

Shuffling through crowds, standing in line for hours, or fighting over who gets the last special edition, over-priced toy-of-the-year for a kid who has too many anyway, is just nonsense. For the past several years, I’ve shopped or made gifts for others throughout the year so the extra expense is evenly distributed from month-to-month, rather than hitting all at once in December. 

Also, by storing up gifts throughout the year, you can stay out of the stores when everyone else is in them and you can slow down, breathe deeply, and have room in your schedule for all those unexpected situations that pop up every Christmas season. 

Plan ahead for next year so you aren’t part of the last-minute mayhem that will stress out you and everyone else. 

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2. An Inability to "Let it Go"

If you’re like me, and every other woman I know, you want things to be perfect. I’ve actually heard women say “This year I want the perfect Christmas” – and I still don’t know exactly what that means. Is a perfect Christmas one in which everyone behaves perfectly? Every expectation is met perfectly? Every person somehow becomes, in and of themselves, perfect? 

Perfect isn’t possible. It simply doesn’t exist. And its pursuit is a practice in disappointment and frustration every time. So, let it go. Expect something to make that gingerbread house fall or that Pinterest project turn out not exactly like the picture. And laugh it off.  The more we try to have “the perfect Christmas” the more frustrated we will become, and the more unbearable we will be to have around. How about striving for a joyful Christmas? Because you and I can decide whether or not we will be joyful. We can control whether or not we keep joy in our hearts. But “perfect” is in the eye of the beholder and it will always remain elusive. 

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3. The Refusal to Slow Down

Yes, this is part of the last-minute mayhem, except it can last the whole season. Sometimes it ends up defining our lives. But Christmas is the one time, more than any other, when it is most essential that we slow down, quit putting an emphasis on all we have to do and just start being with God, being with others, being in the moment, not somewhere else in our minds and hearts. 

You can overcome that burden of busyness by practicing No. 2 (let it go), and by realizing the time you spend with others matters a whole lot more than all the things you do for them. In fact, avoid the whole plague of busyness by focusing on how much time you really can spend with others rather than on how much money you are spending on them. 

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4. The Spending Frenzy

Our economy seems to revolve around whether or not it’s a “lucrative holiday season.” And we actually buy into the mass-marketing frenzy by thinking it’s okay for Black Friday sales to start on Thanksgiving Day. Are the “After-Christmas” sales going to start on Christmas Eve this year? What if we did Christmas without a store this year? I know I’m saying this a little late, for myself, too, but how about a goal for next year? To not buy into the fact that we must buy something (or everything) in order to get through Christmas. 

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5. The Obsession with Cost

Are you one who complains about how much Christmas costs? I truly believe only God has that right, and yet He refuses to exercise it. God could very well complain what Christmas cost Him – the life of His Son, whom He gave to us willingly only to be mocked, beaten and killed brutally upon a Roman cross. Yet God saw the bigger picture … the ultimate reward from His sacrifice – eternal life with those He loves and the eternal glorification of His Son. 

If money – or lack of it – gets you down each Christmas, determine not to make it a part of your Christmas. Find ways to give to others in a way that costs your time, your talents and your service, rather than your money. Give of yourself. And find the ultimate reward: Joy. 

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6. The Obsession with Weight Gain

You know the scenario. Snacks. Treats. Special goodies. Big Christmas dinners. And parties, parties, parties. It amounts to what could be an obsession over holiday weight gain. I’ve been guilty many times, of both the obsession and the actual weight gain. But now I see the potential weight gain over the holidays as a chance to practice discipline and eating in moderation. 

Accept the fact that it’s going to happen. Think of some healthier alternatives, and then follow through with that New Year’s Resolution to get in shape. 

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7. The Hesitancy to Mention "Christmas"

Are you constantly hearing that “many people don’t celebrate Christmas” so you shouldn’t say Merry Christmas? Say “Happy Holidays” instead? It bugs me that we don’t want to offend someone by saying “Christmas” just in case they don’t celebrate it. Rather than worry who I might offend, I say “Merry Christmas” to everyone I see, realizing most people appreciate the thought and just because someone else doesn’t recognize or celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I can still celebrate, and so can you.    

I also realized recently that saying “Happy Holidays” is not a compromise or a watering down of Christmas. The word “holiday” is a derivative of “holy-day” so you’re still greeting people with a religious/Christian term. Or come up with your own version that still communicates the same intention. 

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8. Criticizing Secular Traditions

I used to criticize traditions that I wouldn’t classify as “Christian” and didn’t feel comfortable allowing them into my holiday experience. I’m so sad now for the years I did that. I was exercising legalism, not extending grace. The lights, Yule log, mistletoe, Christmas tree, secular holiday songs, and even Santa Claus are not taking anything away from the true meaning of Christmas; I am—when I’m being critical or unloving. 

These Christmas traditions, many that are rooted in Christianity, have been around for ages and the true meaning of Christmas has not been lost because of them. The Power of the Gospel is stronger than that. It is enduring. And grace is the greatest gift I can give to others on Christmas. Can you, too? 

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9. Conserving Like a Cheapskate

My husband, lovingly, told me I was guilty of this one. For years, in an attempt to be frugal and not over-spend the following year, I insisted that the tissue paper be neatly re-folded, the gift bags be re-used and the wrapping paper be salvaged as much as possible. Then last year he drew the line at my attempt to recycle the gift tags.

There is some wisdom in the idea of seizing the day and when it comes to kids, let them tear into a present, (as long as they understand they’re expected to help clean up the mess later).  As my husband told me, upon presenting a gift to my 5-year-old nephew: “If you’ve done it right, the anticipation has been building for weeks, and now he has to carefully peel back the transparent tape so as not to mar the paper? Lighten up a little. It’s Christmas.”

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10. Complaining about Family

I do understand. You have that strange aunt or uncle you really don’t want to see this year.  Or that guy who’s not really related to anyone but always shows up at family gatherings, anyway. Many of us don’t want to be around extended family at Christmas. But there are also many of us who can’t be around family this year—because someone is gone now, or unable to travel, or lives too far away. 

Christmas is a time to love even the most unlovable. Especially them. Because Christ loved even us. When you start to complain about family and all the drama and dysfunction, remember that Christ let you into HIS (Romans 5:8), and therefore you can extend love, grace, and acceptance toward others, as He does toward you.  

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Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker who helps women and couples strengthen their walk with God and experience drama-free relationships. She is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling  When Women Walk Alone (more than 125,000 copies sold), When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, When God Sees Your Tears, and her newest book, Drama Free.  For more on her speaking ministry, books, or free articles to strengthen your soul, marriage, or parenting, see her website www.StrengthForTheSoul.com. 

This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!

What is Christmas? Understanding History, Origin and Traditions
Christmas Eve History and Traditions
The History of Santa Claus: Origin of St. Nicholas & Christmas Traditions
When Was Jesus Born? History of December 25th
The Birth of Jesus: Bible Story and Scripture Verses
What Are Advent Readings & Why Are They Important?
Christmas Bible Verses & Scripture Story