Festive - Season _best_

Here, we perform the ancient act of breaking bread with people we love—and people we tolerate. Here, Uncle Bob tells the same joke about the turkey neck. Here, the children build fortresses out of dinner rolls. Here, someone cries in the bathroom, and someone else follows with a glass of wine and a hug.

But here is the secret: that hangover is necessary. Because in the quiet of January, when the lights come down and the regular world resumes its grey grind, you realize something has changed. Not the world. You. festive season

The festive season magnifies everything. If you are happy, you become euphoric. If you are lonely, you become desolate. If you are grieving, the carols cut like glass. Here, we perform the ancient act of breaking

You laughed until your ribs hurt. You danced badly. You ate the cake. You held someone’s hand a little too long. Here, someone cries in the bathroom, and someone

By J. Harper

But during the festive season, we willingly suspend reality. We stay up until 2 a.m. wrapping gifts in shapes that defy geometry. We drive forty-five minutes to see a single inflatable Santa on a neighbour’s roof. We eat carbs without apology.