On some level, many of us do actually expect some kind of renewal at this time of year. The expectation of renewal is part of our being, as it was for our ancestors thousands of years ago. ...But what kind of renewal?
The yearning for real, meaningful experiences around the holidays actually runs quite deep.... We fill the holidays with kitschy symbols and images of Christmas in our culture, and we also fill up the holidays with extravagant gifts, which can easily pre-occupy us during this period.…
Does gift-giving create holiday stress for you? Well if so, you're in good company. Anthropology tells us that gift-giving is a near-universal practice through the history of human cultures. Gift-giving -- and especially exchange of gifts -- is immensely significant.