Searcy (LP) Christmas is a holiday that has been around since 1870 as a federal holiday. The original meaning of Christmas was different for many people. It is both a religiously sacred holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Many stores use Christmas as a marketing technique all through the year. The appeal of advertisements to children and parents change the aspects and beliefs of the original Christmas. The original Christmas was for religious people the birth of Jesus, however another meaning was joys of family and the new year. Winter solstice is another saying for Christmas in other areas of the world and some also think instead of our New Years that this is the beginning of the year for farming. When asked what date Christmas became a Federal holiday Lindsey Chappell a paraprofessional at Searcy High guessed “1815” and Sara Feather a Junior at Searcy High School guessed “1827”. So the origin of Christmas may be popular but the date it became an official federal holiday is unknown by many people.

Now we celebrate in many ways most families share gifts and dinner. This is usually the only time families can see each other because in the United States over half of families are scattered due to employment, education, and beliefs or preferences. Most children believe Christmas has a much different meaning than older people. Children believe that it is the one time to get gifts and extras they wouldn’t normally need. Sara said ” All throughout childhood she went to church so Christmas for her means spending time with family and celebrating Jesus.” While Lindsey said something very similar “Now I celebrate the birth of christ.” when asked as a child what Christmas meant she said “Christmas was about being excited and waiting to open presents under the tree, while a little bit was about spending time with family.” Some families can’t help this belief due to financial issues and employment bases. During Christmas places like Christmas 4 Kids, Toys 4 Tots, The Salvation Army, Make A Wish, Angel Tree, and many more such as churches and charities can help pay bills, give your children presents, and provide food. Most of these places want to preserve the idea of Santa Claus, preserve the innocence of children, help families through one of the hardest seasons, and make the children not resent their parents while helping parents not feel helpless.

Traditions for each family changes. There is making candy like Mrs. Chappell and her family does or opening presents like Sara does. Many traditions such as having a Christmas tree, lights, garland, angels, and Presents have been around for years. Most families have Christmas dinner and watch movies or have parties. Now jobs and schools have a tradition to have Christmas parties. Games such as “Dirty Santa”, where everyone brings a gift for a name they drew without anyone knowing who it was from and either switching or keeping their present, have became very popular in big families or Christmas parties. Other families have money requirements where you can’t spend over a certain price so it is fair for everyone. Most parents and other adults believe that it isn’t about the price but the thought that counts. Another tradition, Sara Mentioned “Drinking Hot Chocolate and watching Polar Express is my favorite thing.” Children leave cookies and treats for Santa on Christmas Eve, and try to stay up so they can see him. So as you can see Christmas traditions go far and wide from what we eat and do to how we enjoy this national holiday.

The Christmas season has been known as the “Winter Wonderland” or  “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and so much more that doesn’t actually explain how the real season is for most people. Christmas has been proven in studies, such as, American Psychological Association, Mayo Clinic, and Huffington Post, as the most stressful, painful, and hardest season out of the year ripping families apart and bringing people to their lowest standards, showing who they really are to people who only see the best of them. Where there are downs to the season there is ups. Christmas for so many families means forgiving and connecting. The chance to have this and to believe that something higher is controlling our lives is a relief to many families. Military families get reunited with their loved ones whereas people with dead family members remember over the lost. So, as you see Christmas is a lot and very controversial but overall it is the most joyful season. I wouldn’t say the “Most Wonderful”, but beautiful and joyful does describe Christmas. The idea of a white Christmas and of reuniting with family helps prove the description.