I really enjoy the holiday season. Not because I love receiving gifts — honestly, I don’t even have a wishlist. I love this time of year because home just feels more family-like.

I cherish every moment spent with my wife and kids while decorating the Christmas tree. These are our shared moments, full of laughter and little lights. I especially love the part when my daughter bakes cookies — and even more the part when I get to eat them!

I have a little secret wish for it to always be a white Christmas, even though I know my better half isn’t really fond of snow! But I can’t help it — bright lights, glitter, and falling snow take me back to my childhood. To times when everything was simple, and every day felt exciting. That’s the magic of this season — a pause to remember that small things can bring joy.

At the same time, I’m aware of how commercialized Christmas has become. Every store, every ad, tries to convince us that the perfect Christmas is one you have to spend a fortune on. That only by taking out loans and buying expensive presents can you create a magical atmosphere. But that’s not true! For me, Christmas is about family traditions — even if they’re my own atheist traditions, as I wrote last year. Those small moments — decorating the tree together, baking cookies, or bothering my spouse while she prepares meals — are what make this time special!

Of course, one can’t ignore the absurdities of this season. One of them is political correctness. Christians are being made to apologize for having their own holidays. In English-speaking countries, people almost never say Merry Christmas anymore, opting for the neutral Happy Holidays. In Germany, Frohe Weihnachten is being replaced by Schöne Feiertage. But why? Why should believers be ashamed of their traditions and faith? Fortunately, it’s not that visible in Poland yet, though more and more I feel it’s only a matter of time.

But let’s leave my grumpy old-man complaints aside. The most important thing is that another year has passed. Do you also feel time is speeding up? I just wrote about creating my own Christmas traditions, and now I hear the same woman on the radio, singing endlessly — All I Want For Christmas Is You. I swear, she’s everywhere. Sometimes I’m afraid to open a can!

So, to wrap up this post, I’d like to share a few of my favourite Christmas songs. Maybe you’ll find something you like and make this magical time even more enjoyable. And most importantly — Merry Christmas to all of you, believers and non-believers alike. May this season be full of joy, closeness, and peace!