'Tis the season to be jolly

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are already on their way. A couple of the happiest celebrations worldwide are close, one after the other, and most of us have already prepared our plans on how we’re going to celebrate them.

Even if Santa doesn’t come to many of us anymore, that doesn’t stop Christmas or New Year’s Eve from being as magical as ever.

Vibrant lights, lively carols and Christmas song tunes, Christmas trees, decorative angels, elves, bells, sleighs and reindeer, happy faces, shopping, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies – as well as a million other things create that unique ‘smell’ of Christmas to most of us. One of the best smells in the world, isn’t it?

Not to mention the upcoming holiday break for the majority of us. And what else could be better? Blessed family moments are on their way and all we do is count down the days that are left in order for us to enjoy this break and do nothing but relax and have some quality time with the people we love, right?

But as we’re dreaming of the upcoming wonderful season of the year, some other people are hoping the days until then slowly pass by and all they wish for is a lot of patience in order to get through these specific holidays.

And no, I’m not talking about those who hate Christmas or New Year’s Eve because they consider them a consumptive habit or a day like any other one.

I’m talking about the smiley those people who stand behind counters, stalls and workbenches, those who have to deal with a quadruped number -in comparison to the normal amount- of clients for hair, nails and make up. Those whose hands and legs are already in pain just with the thought of the days to come because of the continuous hustle and bustle they are going to have in cafes and restaurants during the holidays.

For better or for worse, in order for some of us to enjoy this wonderful season of the year, others really need to work their asses off.

“It’s their choice” you might say. Or, “That’s life!”, you might state. But, most of the times, believe me, it’s not.

If you actually think that it is people’s choice to work under these specific conditions, and come into work during these days, you simply are fooling yourself. Who, in the whole world, would choose to work themselves into the ground instead of spending relaxed, loving family moments? Who would prefer to put a rested, big smile on their face in order to please and serve you -just so that you enjoy your holidays- over the opportunity to enjoy theirs as well?

Most of the times it isn’t their choice my dears; it simply is their responsibility.

That’s why you’ll hear most of them wishing that these days would be canceled from calendars, or often expressing jealously towards the ones who have the time to spend celebrating and being light-hearted during this wonderful time of the year. It’s not in a bad way, so don’t judge them.

You can clearly see a sparkle of nostalgia in their eyes, and a bit of sadness as well, if you happen to notice them at a time, a few seconds they “steal” from their work, when they might get distracted.

Their only Christmas magical spirit is the hushed, festive carols and songs, the colorful, blinking lights on walls, doors and windows in their working environment and most importantly, you my dears. Yes, all of you who are going to them in order to prepare yourselves for having a great time during these celebrations and then to leave their place happily ever after.

As much as they whine, so much more do they feel happy when they see you happy and satisfied. Besides, it is a sample of their good work isn’t it? It is the simplest way to show to them that all of their hard work is rewarded. A simple smile, a heartfelt, honest ‘thank you’, a ‘Merry Christmas’, a polite greeting, a good word and a bit of respect is all they need in order to feel jolly. And this is really sufficient for them.

They, like you, have also got a family or a loved one with whom they would die to be with, next to a decorated Christmas tree. But instead, they simply happen to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve through other people, most of the times strangers, in a total different way.

That doesn’t mean that they cannot feel the magic, nor that they hate this season of the year. It is just that they sometimes wistfully wish their Christmas or New Year’s Eve could, for at least once, be kind of a more family day, around a big delicious dinner table with people they love. Maybe even to have the opportunity to take a stroll around the ornately decorated city, full of Christmas’ spirit.

But again, this is until these days come and, regardless of their wishes, you find them in the same place they wished they wouldn’t be this year.

They are the people who can truly feel happy when they can -each one in their own way- make you happy. And this is also their celerations’ satisfaction and that’s why they would do it again and again. Don’t forget that their joy is a great deal dependent on how we also treat them.