My Hot Take on Christmas Lists

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I recently rewatched my favorite childhood movie - 101 Dalmatians. When I was a kid, I was obsessed and so for Christmas one year my loving grandparents bought me a stuffed Dalmatian toy. I have a vivid memory of opening it up and complaining because it wasn't the right one; they got me Patch when apparently I wanted Lucky. I mean there were 101 different options for crying out loud… and I was upset because they didn't pick my favorite? And all parents know I probably had only decided Lucky was my favorite that morning. What a spoiled brat I was.

Okay, I'm probably being a little harsh on my five-year-old self, but thirty-something years later I still feel bad when I think about that moment. My grandparents got me something from my favorite movie but because it didn't fit my exact expectations I was disappointed. Over the years technology has attempted to solve this problem with automated wish lists; now people can ask for the exact Dalmatian they want. I understand that this is very convenient for many people but I fear we have solved the wrong problem. Why do we need to get exactly what we want at all? What if instead of fostering greed and teaching children to ask for a bunch of stuff, we taught them to make a list for other people? Let's teach children (and adults) to forget about what they want and focus on the joy they can bring to others. What if the idea of making a Christmas List became writing down all the things the people in your life love doing?

The magic of buying gifts for people doesn’t happen when you have this long list of exact-obligations you need to meet but rather when you're strolling through a market and see something that reminds you of someone you love. You stop, walk closer, pick it up and think wow, my nephew would love this. Your heart fills with joy when you think of the joy this will bring him. You know he’ll love it because you spend time with him. You know him. You talk to him. You know what he’s into.

If you are trying to buy me a present but don't know me well enough to be able to do that, then let's solve that problem. I don't need a gift, let's spend some time together. Religious views aside, I think we all need a Christmas-reset. It's not about holding to specific traditions or getting exactly what you want. To me, the magic of the holiday season comes from spending time with the people in your life; sharing stories, celebrating achievements of the year, and looking forward to what's to come.