Ho-freakin-ho.

The Beatles had it right in the title of their festive song 'Christmas Time (Is Here Again)'. Because each and every year, December sneaks up on us like a festive version of that big, badass tornado in 'Twister'.

But in the last few years, it seems the once joyful spirit of Christmas has begun to fade, disappearing like a sun that just isn't sure if it will get to show face the next time around.

Trading the happiness that Christmas represents for a more negative disdain, more and more people are turning the traditional holiday into a burden that is frowned upon, and it worries me. Are the 'Christmas lovers' becoming the minority? Are we the Grinches of tomorrow?

For me, it's simple. Christmas time is awesome. You have Christmas songs, Santa Claus, gifts, Christmas sweaters, candy-canes, reindeer… heck, the list goes on and on. I guess this was instilled in me as a child.

But then again, even the genuine Christmas vibe in my family has now begun to fade. And until recently, it was unclear why. Why on earth we are choosing to let go of the positives in Christmas and embrace the negatives?

To put it simply, the thrill of Christmas is being destroyed by our focus on problems that come with the festive season.

For adults, Christmas comes as the busiest time of year. And the most expensive. I hear constant complaints from people explaining that they just don't have the time or money to buy their family and friends gifts, attend all of the end-of-year Christmas parties, put up a tree and decorations, organise what they're doing for the big day, and deal with the constant cheer of Christmas carols, all while trying to work 9-5 throughout December.

And while I can understand these issues, I can't help but view it as a glass half-empty/glass half-full situation. Because these 'chores' that everybody finds so painful are also the things that bring the happiness to Christmas. Buying gifts for loved ones, putting up a tree, attending end-of-year celebrations with work colleagues - these are all actually fun things to do. Why the negativity? What sort of example are we setting for today's youth, if we can't take some time to actually appreciate the beauty that this time of year was designed to bring?

Parents, especially, should take this opportunity to bond and teach their children about what's important. Rather than buying a gift for somebody, why not involve your kids and have them help you make a batch of Christmas goodies to give out to everybody? It doesn't have to be over the top and, quite frankly, involving the kids might just help to alleviate that little bit of extra Christmas stress. That Christmas stress that is taking what used to make you happy and turning it around to make you just want it to be over. Take the tasks that you find so daunting and use them to teach your kids about Christmas and reinstill your own delight in the season that is meant to be celebrated.

It upsets me to think that Christmas lovers might become the minority. That perhaps the Grinch has indeed stolen Christmas and turned those who love it into the bad guys. What sort of future does that give Christmas? Will it disappear into history as yet another past time that society no longer deems appropriate? I certainly hope not. In the world today, with all of the financial woes and fighting and political mayhem, we need it. Whether you are in fact religious or not, sometimes it's all you need. Something to believe in. Just like when you were young.

So in this festive season, I beg you. Dare to be young again, embrace the Christmas spirit, share the love and celebrate a time that is meant to be celebrated. You'll feel better for it and can help save Christmas for those that look forward to this time of year the most.

The opinions expressed in The 7PM Side Project blog do not necessarily reflect those of The 7PM Project or the Ten Network.
Though there's no reason why we wouldn't wish you a happy festive season.