Fill in the blank: It wouldn't be Christmas without ____
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Fill in the blank or complete the sentence time... Special holiday edition.
While I know that there are individuals out there that don't celebrate Christmas, and I don't want to discriminate against those that celebrate other seasons festivities, how would you answer the question or a similarly phrased question (Such as "It wouldn't be Hannukah (however you choose to spell it) without ____" or "It wouldn't be a good holiday without ____")
Again, I understand that for many the holiday's aren't a happy occasion and others celebrations might seem cruel and exclusive to them. Those without children may feel sad because for many Christmas is a time for children. Those without a spouse may feel lonely. Persons without family might feel that way too. I don't want to make those individuals feel depressed or left out, but for many on the other side, the question is pretty easily answered. The question is what would be your answer?
For me, I think the answer goes back to the comments almost directly above. It wouldn't be Christmas for me without children. Even when I hadn't had my own and my wife and I were just starting out, I had younger siblings, cousins, and later my brothers children and my own. There's always been children around during the holidays, though my own children are getting older now, and I suppose it means in the future the next round might be grandchildren (depending on how things turn out with my own children).
My sister has the youngest in the family currently, with my youngest brother having the next closest. I think those will be the last of the youngsters in the family for a while, but one never really knows what the future holds. My sister went through a lot of effort to have her first children. In vitro, and other fertility treatments. It took multiple tries, but worked out well for her with two beatiful children, twins, a delightful boy and a sparkling little girl. Though born a bit pre-mature, they both hung tough and are now almost ready for pre-school. Both are just about the perfect age for Christmas as they truly light up when they see presents and get to pull wrapping paper off of boxes.
My brother-in-law talked with me a while last nite. He and his wife adopted two children from third-world countries. Again, both of those children are just about the perfect age as well. They too understand presents, opening gifts and seeing the bright lights, glitter and tinsel and such that makes the holiday seem so bright and cheerful for children.
So, my own personal answer is children. Others may have different opinions, including a comment I'll add in reference to another family member.
While I know that there are individuals out there that don't celebrate Christmas, and I don't want to discriminate against those that celebrate other seasons festivities, how would you answer the question or a similarly phrased question (Such as "It wouldn't be Hannukah (however you choose to spell it) without ____" or "It wouldn't be a good holiday without ____")
Again, I understand that for many the holiday's aren't a happy occasion and others celebrations might seem cruel and exclusive to them. Those without children may feel sad because for many Christmas is a time for children. Those without a spouse may feel lonely. Persons without family might feel that way too. I don't want to make those individuals feel depressed or left out, but for many on the other side, the question is pretty easily answered. The question is what would be your answer?
For me, I think the answer goes back to the comments almost directly above. It wouldn't be Christmas for me without children. Even when I hadn't had my own and my wife and I were just starting out, I had younger siblings, cousins, and later my brothers children and my own. There's always been children around during the holidays, though my own children are getting older now, and I suppose it means in the future the next round might be grandchildren (depending on how things turn out with my own children).
My sister has the youngest in the family currently, with my youngest brother having the next closest. I think those will be the last of the youngsters in the family for a while, but one never really knows what the future holds. My sister went through a lot of effort to have her first children. In vitro, and other fertility treatments. It took multiple tries, but worked out well for her with two beatiful children, twins, a delightful boy and a sparkling little girl. Though born a bit pre-mature, they both hung tough and are now almost ready for pre-school. Both are just about the perfect age for Christmas as they truly light up when they see presents and get to pull wrapping paper off of boxes.
My brother-in-law talked with me a while last nite. He and his wife adopted two children from third-world countries. Again, both of those children are just about the perfect age as well. They too understand presents, opening gifts and seeing the bright lights, glitter and tinsel and such that makes the holiday seem so bright and cheerful for children.
So, my own personal answer is children. Others may have different opinions, including a comment I'll add in reference to another family member.
