There are two competing narratives of the holiday season. One that I feel particularly connected to is full of warmth and fuzziness. It involves smiling families gathering around gourmet meals and exchanging meaningful presents. I know. A little unrealistic, but I think every mother wants to create this picturesque holiday experience for her family.
But increasingly, another story is dominating the holidays. It presents the month of December as a challenge to get through. It focuses on the woman with pepper spray at Walmart on Black Friday. It laments all the crazy relative and family togethers. From this view, the carolers are obnoxious, the lights are tacky and Santa is just a symbol of gross consumption.
I can see where this second story appeals to people. And then I see my daughter’s face light up at the mention of Santa and his elves and it changes everything. Am I alone here? Am I the only one who got rid of the holiday blues when I had a child? More »