I hate holidays and I have since before I became a teenager. I also don’t really like my birthday, although the fact that it falls on September 11th is probably the reason why. It really made no difference when I was single or married. I have never been able to get into any holiday spirit.
I am an only child and the child of a single mom. My father has never really been in my life. Relations have been strained with my extended family so I have never had the large family others have had. I also hate large gatherings because I always feel like a fish out of water. For better or for worse, alcohol helps.
I guess my biggest dislike of holidays is that they all seem contrived and distant to me. Scary things don’t have any appeal and I (somewhat jokingly) said that the only thing I like on Halloween is when my attractive female friends dress up in skimpy costumes and post pictures of them on Facebook and Twitter. I don’t really like turkey so I’m not big on Thanksgiving. Christmas, meh I outgrew receiving presents years ago. Easter? Yawn, I can only eat so many Cadbury Creme Eggs. I just don’t feel a connection to these events and days.
There are somethings I love about some holidays. I love the idea of Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate romance. I love Christmas music, especially the religious carols. I appreciate Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate producers (but I can do without the hype of Black Friday). I enjoy many aspects of Mardi Gras as a celebration of Louisiana’s unique culture.
I guess the reason why I’m such a Scrooge is because I’m looking for something authentic instead of the commercialized hype that holidays have become.
Meanwhile, Happy Halloween!
Kevin Boyd 