I hate winter, but I love Christmas.

I hate winter.

Not in a dramatic way, but in the honest, familiar way of someone who dreads the bitter cold, the dry air, and the darkness that falls too early. Winter has never been a season I wait for.

And yet, I love Christmas.

Somehow, Christmas softens everything I dislike about winter. The cold remains, of course, but it begins to feel gentler under warm lights and the glow of decorated windows. There is comfort in the food, in the music, in the small rituals people return to every year. Even the air feels different, as if the whole season briefly decides to become tender.

Christmas in 2025 was not the kind I usually imagine. I was preparing for my graduation exam, and because of that, I did not even put up a tree at home. I let the season pass more quietly than I wanted to. No ornaments, no elaborate decorating, none of the little things that make December feel magical.

So instead, I gave all my heart to Christmas Eve.

This is my belated record of Christmas.

There was something wonderfully chaotic about the day. In a small kitchen, it felt as if a kind of magic was unfolding. The night before, there was meat to prepare. On the day itself, there was more to cook, more to plate, more to arrange. My husband grilled meat, cleaned oysters, and I helped bring everything together before the guests arrived.

Setting up food before welcoming guests,,🎄

And then, suddenly, the evening became a celebration.

There is a special kind of happiness that only comes from gathering around a table with people you love. Good food tastes better, laughter becomes louder, and even ordinary moments begin to shine a little. Someone even sketched the atmosphere of the party, and that small gesture made the memory feel even more precious, as if the warmth of the evening had been gently preserved on paper.

Let the party begin-🎅🏻

Later, at the end of the year, I was invited to a friend’s housewarming party. That home, too, was filled with Christmas spirit. Every corner seemed touched by warmth and care, and for a moment, winter felt exactly the way I wish it always would: cozy, festive, and full of life.

Lots of Christmas vibes🎄🤎

Maybe my Christmas in 2025 was not traditional. Maybe it did not look the way Christmas is supposed to look.

But in the end, I still found what I love most about it: warm lights, delicious food, and the joy of being with people who make a season feel softer than it really is.

I may hate winter, but I will probably always love Christmas.

And in 2026, we’ll have a tree too.