Pom in Oz with Derek Goforth: Why do so many people seem to love and hate Christmas in equal measure?

What is it some of us love about Christmas? And on the flip side, why do so many of us dislike or even hate the festive season? I think for every love there is a hate and for every plus there is a negative. I guess it all depends on perspective, experience and attitude. Let’s take the first aspect — gift giving. Now giving and receiving gifts should be a joyous thing, right? You think of the person, you buy them something they will cherish and they are happy. All seems good doesn’t it? In an ideal world, that’s how it should be, but it’s not always the case. I have had so many conversations with people after Christmas about “disappointing gifts” and gifts with little to no thought put in them. But have we missed the point? Surely giving a gift should be just as pleasurable for the giver as it is the receiver? I like to think I am a good gift giver (at times) particularly for my family. I try and think of a key aspect of them or a shared moment and buy a gift that reflects that. A photo, a picture, a memento, something that means something. But, by the same token, I have often gone the other way, thrown some cash at it or just bought a bog-standard, whatever Kmart has within 3m of the door type gift. Then low and behold the receiver looks at it, looks at me and half smiles — because they know exactly what happened. Then there is seeing family, which again should be joyous and wholesome. For example, I saw my dad for the first time in years over this break and it was wonderful. It was great just to sit, to be there and to chat. But having a hoard of aunties, uncles, and long-lost relatives over in the middle of cooking a massive meal? All trying our best to make small talk and be “nice”? Yeah, maybe not. And lastly there is the best bit of the whole period — the food. (Yes, I have left out church and God and Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas, but I do that every week because I personally think Jesus should be centrestage every week, not just on December 25.) But the food for me is special, maybe it’s the home ec teacher in me. But I love to go back to basics, back to local, quality, and special ingredients. Make my dinner and make it the best I can. Put in the extra time to shop and even more time to cook. The downside? The feeling when I am back at cross fit the week after! So however you’re spending Christmas, or with whom, it goes without saying — have a Merry Christmas everyone! Derek Goforth is a teacher at Geraldton Christian College