Mia: “The reason for celebrating Christmas is to gather with family and spend time with loved ones over the course of an extensive break from school and work. I just love it.”
Jillian: “Yes, I’m all for the time off. And the essence of Christmas may lie in the company of loved ones and family, but seriously, Mia, this does not exempt any of us from the fact we use enormous amounts of materials and money simply to create the ‘vibes’. What truly justifies this and why do we allow this copious amount of self-indulgence for others or ourselves?”
Mia: “Copious? I don’t know about all that. People just enjoy getting their Christmas lights out and decorating their homes, putting up their Christmas trees, baking cookies, listening to Christmas music, and setting a festive atmosphere.”
Jillian: “The things people love about Christmas–like Christmas lights you brought up–are a major problem. They are extremely influential to light pollution and there’s a lot of plastic that ends up in the garbage. The whole holiday just leads to consumption.”
Mia: Yes, but what about Christmas gifts? Isn’t it great to be a kid and unwrap a wish for Lego’s or a doll?
Jillian: “Sure, kids deserve something for Christmas, but the festivities have come to a tipping point. The human race is getting as much as they possibly can, so I do believe the holiday is overrated with the mass amount of consumption.”
Mia: “But at Christmas, people feel more cheery–I know that’s how it is for me–they engage in the Christmas spirit.”
Jillian: “This Christmas spirit you speak of is just something to take our minds off the fact that the winter season produces all kinds of threats to our existence. From falling icicles to hypothermia, the seasonal festivities are simply a natural way for human kind to shift focus from the negative environment and share gratitude.”
Mia: (shrugs, handing Jillian a Christmas gift) “Merry Christmas, Jillian!”
Jillian: “Happy Holidays Mia!”
