#AskMargie: Celebrating the holidays

MANILA, Philippines – What do you not like about Christmas and the holiday season in general?

While most people celebrate and spread love during the holidays, others, if they can, would rather skip the entire festivities altogether. Dr. Margie Holmes talks about your frustrations, annoyances and pet peeves.

Watch:

As much as Christmas is a festive occasion, there are those who have mixed feelings about the season. So I asked: what don’t you like about Christmas?

Maureen Lara: When single people say malamig ang Pasko nila. Relationship or not, my Christmas is with my family.

Chris Clemente: Christmas feels different when you were a kid. Back then it was just about family and presents, but you reach an age when it becomes much more than that. It means creating your own traditions with your own family, being the Santa for your kids, being with friends who turned into family, etc.

Andrew Craig-Bennett: I really hate the playing of Christmas carols and other songs in and outside of malls and supermarkets.

Alfie Mella: I’m annoyed when people insist that “Pasko ay araw-araw.” I don’t buy this. If every day is Christmas, then the occasion loses its significance. For me, Christmas is simply a traditional/sociocultural season of celebrating with family and friends.

Margie: Oh, Alfie, I so love the way you think. To quote a philosopher who agrees with you: “If everything is blue, nothing is blue.”

Anjella Palomares: I hate the carolers who make it their bread and butter!

Marisa says: Too much commercialization. Reason for the season–Christ–has been relegated to the sidelines.

Pee Hsee: I hate it that there are some parents who did not orient their kids on the essence of being a godparent. I don’t give gifts, just on their birthdays.

Lui Manansala gives us her list of things she hates:

Lui Manansala: Traffic, ultra long lines, the rush, choosy taxi drivers, Christmas carolers devoid of energy and enthusiasm, sad/painful memories in my life associated with the season.

Trick Mendoza: I stopped observing Christmas in 1996 as a protest to the excessive commercialization of the occasion! It’s materialism at its worst! The essence of Christmas – love, peace, etc — should be a way of life and not just to be observed for a season!

But Alfie has a different perspective:

Alfie Mella: Christmas evolved into a sociocultural event. I am against the demonization of materialism. If one is to assess everything humans do, it needs money, and there’s nothing wrong with this. Many people despise materialism, but when you ask them why they need to work–the answer is to earn money for their cost of living. There’s hypocrisy in that.

Jeffrey Pineda: Christmas turns most people into freeloaders.

Matteo Perez: I hate people who ask for gifts. Acquaintances or friends you’re not close with would brazenly ask you for your gift for them.

Philip Reyes: I hate it when people tell you that you must be happy and jolly because it’s Christmas. I hate being told to feel what I must because it’s a holiday.

Mei Magsino: Having my birthday a week or two before or after Christmas means the people who gave you gifts tell you that it’s already two in one: Christmas and birthday gift.

But of course, there are many things people love about Christmas.

Here’s what some of you said.

Alfie Mella: Even if I have long become an atheist, I remain a big celebrator of Christmas because I no longer regard this as a religious event but rather a social event. I love most things about Christmas–the carols, the gifts, the decorations, the dinner get-togethers, the Christmas-themed films.

Lui Manansala: Love the lights, Christmas carolers full of energy and enthusiasm, and most especially the smiles and excitement of kids.

Chris Clemente: No matter how much of a Grinch you feel like, it’s not just about you. Christmas is gonna happen with or without you so it’s really your choice. I think the only rule should be not to inflict your negativity on those who strive to stay positive.

WRAP UP I love this show! I love all the comments you make—yes, even the ones we have no time to add here. I love the feelings shared, ideas generated, new concepts given life to. For example, it is what it is. Celebrate the holidays your way…even if your way is to make your own holiday time so it’s not when everybody else is doing so.

– Rappler.com