Jonathan Faia Guest Columnist for the Champion Newspaper - Finding Joy In The Holiday Chaos
Finding Joy In The Holiday Chaos
As we usher in the great hustle and bustle of the holiday season and Christmas kicks into high gear, many of us can become overwhelmed with the whirlwind of shopping, parties, and checking the to-do list.
For me the excitement begins with the memories of listening to The Kinks Christmas classic, “Father Christmas” or maybe “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses.
I love watching my mild-mannered neighborhood turn into the brightest of streets adorned with twinkling lights. I wasn’t always that way. I don’t think I truly got the idea of Christmas until we had our daughters. When you begin to experience the holidays through the eyes of a child something just changes and you can’t escape the holiday fever.
Even routine trips to the local hardware store are filled with festive displays that signal the start of what so many refer to as the most wonderful time of the year. While so many gather to deck the halls and transform their homes into winter wonderlands, there’s often a silent sense of anxiety and pressure to make the season perfect. The spirit of togetherness is palpable, but the pressure that accompanies the holiday season may be at an all-time high.
Stores are filled with shoppers hoping to turn purchases into smiles, and I think we’ve all been there. The challenge isn’t just finding the perfect gift—it’s about doing it on time, navigating crowded stores, and sometimes wrestling with long lines or delayed shipments. I pride myself on being a pretty good gift giver, I have to say. It’s not out of the ordinary for me to dig deep to try and find gifts that make a real connection. I’ll admit it’s tough though it’s equal parts excitement and anxiety. It’s a chance to tell someone I love you and I appreciate everything about you.
In my case it may be a book to inspire my shy daughter who’s finding her way as a young adult, the latest Olivia Rodrigo album for my teen or even a photo album to capture that moment from 20 ago to prove to my wife that yes, I was listening way back then. It’s hard to determine what is more exhausting, the search or the stress of finding the right gift.
Then there are the gatherings which can make the holidays a little complicated. We hosted Christmas last year, and while I loved the idea of sharing my house with everyone, my anxiety was at a ten. Food can be a language of love and appreciation, but if your kitchen is anything like mine, it was filled with both accomplishment and agitation. There was a battlefield of dishes surrounded by clanging pots and flying utensils. It’s easy to forget how a Christmas feast comes to life. I got caught up in the inherent contradiction of striving to create an idyllic holiday experience complete with a carefully cultivated playlist, and I lost sight of the simple things that make this season so special.
Things like the moments of laughter, the soft glow of my neighbor’s Christmas lights peering through my window, and even the smiles I came across doing something simple like picking up my holiday beverage from my barista who never once forgot to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. In a world where everything seems to move at the speed of light, the holidays are that tenfold.
This year let’s consider a new approach to our holiday frenzy. What if we took small moments to find balance amidst the highs and lows of the season? Instead of focusing on the perfect gift or flawless holiday get-together, what if we centered our efforts on connection and presence? We could embrace all our imperfections like those slightly burnt cookies and remember the reason for the season, taking time to usher in the peace and love we all deserve.
Start taking small moments and turn them into new traditions, honoring the past but recognizing the best is still to come. Fresh traditions could really spark new joy in our season.
In the end, the hustle and bustle may be part of what makes the holidays so memorable. We know the rush is exhausting, but it’s a time that brings people together like no other.
So let us all remember that the holiday season is more than gifts and festivities, it’s about love, connection, and the joys of being together. The next time the holiday anxiety starts to rear its ugly head, think cocoa thoughts and remember you got this. It is worth knowing that while the to-do lists seem endless and the days seem to fly by in a blur, remember to take a deep breath and realize the chaos is part of the magic of the season. Happy Holidays!
