Mood for Christmas

So, who’s in the mood to celebrate Christmas again?
This annual festival of the Christian world has turned into a global wonder-brand. In the view of a festive marketing brand.
What other event spins people into an emotional washing machine for several days straight?
Christmas has massive influence — even far beyond church doors. It’s an irresistible brand that helps businesses end the year “in the black.”
Yes indeed — Christmas is an economy booster par excellence.

But let’s get back to the mood of the holidays.
First, with firm intention, we create our lists: who gets a gift, and what will it be? And why?
Depending on your patience and parking luck, Christmas shopping can feel like either a joyful stroll or a horror movie filmed in a mall.
Of course, online shopping has softened the chaos — and shifted the stress neatly onto Amazon’s elves and the delivery drivers.

The real pressure on the festive mood shows up on Christmas Eve. Or on Christmas day, when you live in North America. 
Kids have their wish lists permanently tattooed into memory.
Dads desperately try to remember which package belongs to Mom.
Moms, after seven courses and a life-and-death battle with the turkey, are exhausted — but still manage a brave, glittering smile.

Then comes the final act: “Let’s open the presents!”
Wrappers fly, ribbons explode, and patience disappears faster than snow on a warm driveway.
Some people rip open gifts like there’s an expiry date on joy, while others carefully peel off every piece of tape.
Then — the big reveal: the gift and the reaction.
It’s pure stress trying to hide disappointment.
But if the gift hits the mark — the mood lasts a solid two hours. And more with a bit of luck. 

Christmas happens indoors — in warm rooms, behind closed doors.
Outside lies the cold world.
For those inside, it’s the glowing dream of the season.
For those outside — on the streets, in shelters, or alone in small apartments — it’s a very different picture. The contrast couldn’t be sharper.

When I was a teenager, I used to sneak out after our family’s gift-opening ritual.
You could still chat with street car drivers back then — men with slightly sour moods who couldn’t celebrate with their families.
I’d bring them a few homemade cookies and something to talk about.
At the Basel train station, in the “French corner,” the homeless and the down-and-out gathered. I’d sit with them sometimes.
A few words, a few smiles — and suddenly, the mood lifted. For them. And for me.

It was my way of balancing my good fortune — celebrating Christmas in a warm home while others had none.

Christmas 2025 might not escape unscathed. The world’s problems hang heavy this year.
But maybe — just maybe — Christmas is still the season of reflection.
If so — hallelujah!
A few days to think, to breathe, to imagine something better and creating new ideas and visions for a bright future. 

And that’s a gift we can all use.

Wishing you peaceful, thoughtful, and hopeful holidays — with fresh ideas to carry into the new year.