As the month of December rolls around, it’s hard not to notice the festive decorations, hear the holiday music, or see the Christmas sales plastered everywhere. However, for many high school students, the excitement surrounding the season feels like it’s lessened over the years. What was once the most wonderful time of the year now feels… different.

“It doesn’t hit the same as it did when I was little,” said Chloe “Coco” Hong (10). “It’s not that I hate Christmas, but it just doesn’t feel like as big of a deal anymore.”

It’s a feeling that begs the question; is Christmas spirit fading, or is this just what happens as we grow up?

When we’re young, Christmas feels larger than life. The idea of Santa, the thrill of waking up to a pile of presents full of all the toys you circled in the Toys R Us magazine, and the joy of two weeks off from school make December perfect. But as we grow older, some of that wonder fades, which is only natural.

“I think part of it is just understanding how everything works,” said Hannah Uesgui (10). “When you’re a kid, you’re not thinking about who bought the gifts or decorated the house, you just enjoy it. Now I’m old enough to see all the effort behind it.”

Additionally, as we grow older, we gain more responsibilities regarding schools and jobs, which can take away from experiencing the holidays in full. For students, December isn’t just about Christmas. It’s also the dreaded month of finals.

“Finals week kills my mood,” says Charlotte Gamage (10). “When I was younger, December was all about Christmas. Now, it’s about cramming in time for finals week.”

The added stress of late night studying and last minute cramming for six different subjects can make it harder to enjoy the once carefree joy that used to define the holidays. Instead of focusing on what to put on their Christmas wish list, many teens are thinking about their GPA, their jobs, or how they’re going to pass their chemistry final.

Still, growing up doesn’t have to mean losing the Christmas spirit; it just changes. So while we may no longer believe in Santa or find joy in tearing open presents, the holidays can still be a time for rejoicing in that Christmas cheer.

“It’s not as exciting as when I was five, but it’s still special,” said Coco Hong (10). “I love spending time with my family, watching movies, and just relaxing after finals. That’s what makes it feel like Christmas now.”

Instead of looking for the same thrills we felt as kids, we can find joy in simpler moments. whether it’s volunteering, reconnecting with loved ones, or starting new traditions.

So, is Christmas spirit really fading? Absolutely not. It’s just growing up alongside us, and while it may not look the same as it did when we were younger, it’s still very much there, in the small, quaint moments of joy that remind us what the holidays are really about.