Most holidays center on children
Most holidays are for kids.
Depending on who you are, you are either confused by that statement or it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
Yesterday, as I was relaxing with my girlfriend and her family for Thanksgiving, I started thinking about how pleasantly unique turkey day is among the major family holidays. It’s really just a day dedicated to eating a big meal, which is awesome. Another, even more vital reason it’s so great? Kids are involved, but they’re not the focus.
You can pretend the other family-focused holidays are for everyone, but you’d be kidding yourself. Christmas and Hanukkah? Yes, ostensibly they’re religious holidays, but what comes to the average person’s mind when they’re mentioned? Presents.
The lead up to the winter holidays are in service of gifts for the kids in the family. Sure, dad might get a new power drill and mom might get an assortment of scented candles, but let’s face it: the big ticket item under that tree is the sleek new Playstation 4, not a new socket wrench my dad can use when he can’t find his 11 other ones.
Look at “A Christmas Story.” It’s the quintessential American Christmas experience. Watch with glee as the kids open their presents, the reward for braving the crowds on Black Friday and beyond.
Easter is arguably even worse. It wears its children-focused bent on its sleeve with Easter egg hunts, a pastime so associated with kids it even has a nice, secular mascot they can all support.
Now this isn’t me trying to decry the follies of commercialism, and I’m not necessarily trying to bring back the religious roots of those holidays. All I’m saying is there should be opportunities for adults to enjoy them as much as their kids.
For lack of a more creative idea, let’s all agree on celebrating “Christmas II,” with the same thing for Easter. It could be the day after normal Christmas, or months removed, I don’t care. On that day, you can do anything you want. If you’re a devout Christian, you can use that new day to worship and wish Christ a happy belated birthday. Not religious? Take the day off! Sip hot chocolate by a fire, or go out and buy yourself something nice.
I’m not saying we should get rid of the Christmas we’ve been celebrating for the past century, but there should be some sort of alternative.
-Will Channell is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune.