Why everyone is allowed to complain at Christmas

(Even if your parents are divorced)

At the lunch table, the unfiltered opinion landed on my salad plate. Are you ready? Here it comes. You especially shouldn't whine at Christmas if you still have everyone. Okay. Okay. I wasn't sure if I agreed with this or not. I don't want to fall into terms with hashtags and feeling blessed, but you can definitely give your favorite people an extra big kiss or hug every now and then because they are in your life. That's just how it is, it's not always taken for granted. You know it, I know it.

That's why I wish everyone, first and foremost, a Christmas with many loved ones. I wanted to say that before I might come off as a bit blunt or insensitive or step onto the slippery ice. I would prefer to see everyone able to slide their legs under the table with fathers and mothers. Or treat that friend, brother or sister to a good glass of red wine by the fireplace with a gourmet smell in their hair. But the reality is, as sad as it sometimes is, different. You know that and I know that.

Just to say that someone else shouldn't complain around these, sometimes a bit manic, cozy days? I feel uncomfortable with that. I just saw a woman walk out the door who has to stand in the wet snow at an athletics track and had the Christmas tree delivered via Bol.com because she didn't know when else. Oh, she really loves Christmas, but then you can definitely take a moment to sigh. Or if your boss insists that you answer your emails between your croissant and dripping cheese fondue on Second Christmas because you happen to work for an American company and they are all busy again. Complaining allowed. And what about that brutal stomach flu that knocks on your door a week before all the festivities, making you only count the tiles in your toilet... I find it anything but blessed and blessed with not complaining. Very plausible here too.

My parents turned out not to be made for each other. They found that out when I was six, so I'm used to it. My partner's parents had the same issue, making it four pairs. Now you can still borrow Christmas Eve as a third option, but you're seriously short on time. Not that you have to do that from them, but you impose it on yourself a bit. And then you (thank God) still have brothers and sisters, who also have in-laws, making it all very awkwardly matched during the busiest time of the year. I've been saying for three years that I'm going to travel to our friends in Dubai. Just because I like everyone the most, but I panic when I see all those agendas and wishes coming in. Gifts or no gifts. At that father in the south, at the other in the north. Staying over or maybe not. Yes, and sometimes I complain a bit about that. Or I quickly say that I panic because I want to keep everyone happy and blessed.

I suggest we make it a big party and, while enjoying wine, just occasionally sigh against each other by the fireplace. That really makes December cozier. And oh yes, complaining is actually healthy too. But the rest of the time, millennials especially shouldn't whine, just read.