Commentary: It’s that time of year

It’s that time of year — the holiday season.

Some consider this time of year magical. That is, as long as we don't have another epidemic of COVID.

It's a time when people seem to be kinder and happier. If you visit New York City during the holidays, you will experience that!

At what other time can you find grown adults sitting on Santa's lap? If one did it as a child, why not as an adult?

It's an example of traditions having an effect on our actions. I still leave a small plate with cookies and a cup of milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. I know it's crazy, but it's just something that makes me feel good.

Even today, with my daughters all grown up, no one in the family will deny the existence of Santa Claus.

As a matter fact, it's only recently that I stopped writing short notes from Santa on Christmas Eve that my daughters would see on Christmas Day. I had to stop because my daughters felt that that was going beyond tradition.

I’ve been tempted to leave a letter for Sophie — our dog — but I'm sure I would catch slack for that.

However, the real intent of this commentary is to talk about whether one should say “merry Christmas” or “happy holidays.”

Both greetings are meant to spread cheer to friends, family and even strangers. Some individuals feel “happy holidays” diminishes the celebration of Christmas. Frankly, that's foolish.

I use both greetings. For family I know very well, the greeting of “Merry Christmas” is appropriate.

The bottom line is that both greetings are meant to make people feel happy based upon an individual’s religious, cultural or personal preferences regarding which holiday they recognize, or if they celebrate Christmas because of their personal choice.

If someone greets me with "happy holidays," it doesn't diminish my excitement about Christmas. “Happy holidays” is more general and makes sense given there are more than 10 holidays within December that people recognize based on their faith or identities. We can't tell what holidays people celebrate or their preferences by looking at them. “Happy holidays” also seems to be appropriate for individuals who don't celebrate in December.

The holiday season also is nostalgic. This is the result of memories that are reawakened and perhaps relationships that are renewed. Family and friends celebrate together and reconnect.

Spending time with people to whom we feel connected can cause increases in serotonin, which results in a euphoric feeling. Family members may visit with old photographs of previous Christmas gatherings — although in this day and age, the photos probably would be on a flash drive or cell phone.

The holidays certainly bring back memories of simpler times and the sense of security of childhood, with the freedom of being young and having no responsibilities.

These feelings certainly are a reason why family and friends get together.

If you put this all together with holiday music, you can literally take your mind back in time. Of course, the other side of the coin — which we have all experienced — is the nail-biting and anxiety-causing aspects of holiday preparations and other obligations. These can result in an increase in cortisol levels, leading to stress. That stress can even be heightened with the crowds that one has to navigate during shopping.

I know what you are thinking: Why stress out in shopping malls when you can shop online with delivery to your home in a day — or even a matter of hours? Frankly, I still like to get out and shop the old-fashioned way or compromise with a combination of online and getting out.

One last comment: I continue to insist on having a live Christmas tree during the holidays. I know it is easier with artificial but, for me, an artificial tree just doesn’t feel the same. There is nothing like the feel and smell of a fresh blue spruce that is at least 7 to 8 feet tall. That’s part of our family tradition!

So, whether it's “merry Christmas” or “happy holidays,” enjoy every minute of it. Reflect on the good times and tell yourself everything is going to be better in the new year. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by being positive.

Have a “merry Christmas” and “happy holidays.”

Stay safe.

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Nicholas J. Petrelli, MD, FACS, is Bank of America endowed medical director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute and associate director of translational research at Wistar Cancer Institute. He also serves as Associate Medical Editor for Surgical Oncology for Healio | HemOnc Today. He can be reached at npetrelli@christianacare.org.