Even the air seems to change when December is approaching. Everyone starts asking each other when they are traveling, their plans for the holiday, the type of meals they are planning to cook, who they are having over, and if they are preparing to get anything for the holidays.
As for me, the first signs I see around are children testing knockouts, and those who might not be able to afford that go for bangers and blow it every evening while somehow somehow start playing some related Christmas music loud enough for the entire street.
As far as this year is concerned, it is the simple things that I am looking forward to more than the big celebration. I plan to visit family or have the full house around, and after a meal, I sit around without rushing anywhere, laugh, and have fun over everything. I want food from a busy kitchen where one of the people cooking is asking who took the meat I put where. Those little moments like that always make that season feel wonderful in a different way from an ordinary, busy, and regular day off. I hope to watch the sun set and also take the morning walk while I have the rest of the day to myself.
Yet, it is going to be a lie on my part if I say money does not excite. Now that the petrol price has gone up recently, definitely transport fares are going up, food prices all over will follow, that shopping list will come with additional money, and there are people that I will also gift something to. As a young man trying to build his life, I have not for once tried to make the holiday period look bigger than my pocket by comparing it to other people's outings online, which can quite feel inadequate if someone is pressured into it.
I have been brought up to plan around the things I can afford, not the things I will have to pay for to impress others, to create an appearance. If I can do something, I will. If my power does not carry it, I move back and will not pass myself. I still text and call those who I miss. I make time for friends and do what is in my power. I would rather start the new year with a clear mind free of debt than use the new year to pay for debt over a few moments of enjoyment because of the holiday.
At the moment, what I am looking forward to most is a perfect holiday. It is always the right time to be fully present with people and to slow things down without showing off and turning everything into a measure of what I have achieved in the past few months.
There might be limits to the plans, but the season should not be cancelled. And I hope when the holiday season comes and passes, I am going to remember laughter around a table, not the things I could not afford to put on it.
Thank you for reading.
