Overall I love the Holiday season of Christmas and New Years.
However, I have to consciously tune out a lot of the noise that surrounds it. The commercialization of the holidays is annoying. The commercialized sentimentality of the season irritates me. The focus on New Year resolutions and gotta make myself better in the New Year doesn't allow for focusing on how far we've come in the year we had.
The worst of the season
Overall there are many Christmas traditions I'd love to do away with. I'd love to take the commercialization away. I'd love for people to spend within their means and avoid the January blues when the credit card bills come. I'd love for people to buy useful stuff instead of buying needless things that will ultimately never get used. I'd really love if people stopped buying worthless plastic decorations which will likely just clog up landfills.
However, all of those things are minor annoyances that I just try not to look at. If someone wants to buy useless stuff that is their decision. If someone wants to get into debt its a poor idea but its their decision. If someone wants to buy cheap plastic crap again that is their decision.
Indeed I'm certain that people have reasons for their decisions. I know my grandmother always wanted to be generous on limited means and often gave many small gifts of limited value to make sure that Christmas would last longer for the family time. Others may have to do without for much of the year and a big feast at Christmas makes for a special memorable time--even if it is in excess. Sometimes a brief glimpse at joy for some individuals is worth the sadness in January for others. Everyone's reasons are their own and...
I firmly believe in freedom. I wish people made good decisions all the time but I believe it is their right to make bad ones if they wish.
Freedom of choice EXCEPT when it imposes on another
However, there is one time when I don't believe in someone's freedom. That is when exercising that freedom impedes on anothers.
Which brings me to the worst of the Holiday season. At least in my opinion.
Drinking and Driving
It is no secret that a lot of people want to party and enjoy the season with excess. Excess spending, excess food, and unfortunately excess alcohol.
I don't like the fact that people drink too much as I believe it is ultimately detrimental to their health. However, where I get grumpy is when someone decides to drink too much and then decides to drive home.
When someone takes that irresponsible act they are excercising their freedom BUT they are also putting my family, my life and my freedom at risk. If someone wishes to do harmful things to themself I don't like it and it offends my sense of right and wrong, However, I can swallow that. If someone wants to put my family at risk or the family of other innocent people?
That's just not right
Irresponsible and Preventable
For anyone who wants to drink alcohol during the Holiday season. Enjoy and have fun. I'd encourage you to stay within reasonable limits but the final decision is yours. However, please plan your ride home BEFORE good sense leaves you with that second or third drink! In my area that is as simple as calling or contacting "Operation Red Nose". Sober drivers to keep you and others safe.
Source: Operation Red Nose Facebook page
Maybe that isn't an option where you are. However, you can always take the bus. Decide to leave the car at home and walk. Have a designated driver. Lots of possible options.
I do ask...
.....You have your reasons for drinking. You have a right to enjoy yourself. Please, enjoy your freedom and have a good time but also understand others have their rights and freedoms also.