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Christmas Hot Takes

Audney Burnside Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

‘Tis the season! Christmas is once again upon us, and the hustle and bustle begins.

Sometimes, in the stress of this time of year, I have moments where I am not quite feeling holly nor jolly.

This has spawned a new hot discussion topic for my friends and me, our “Christmas hot takes.” Here are a few that have come to mind for me:

1. Fake Trees > Real TREES

Yes, I know the experience and aesthetic of the real tree make it special. However, it is SO much work!

I will always pick the mess-free, lasts a lifetime, and zero effort artificial tree.

2. Gift cards are a good gift

I know that many assume that gift cards are low effort, but to me, it is apparent that in many situations, they genuinely are an easy “I don’t know you at all” kind of gift. Other than those moments, I can see the good in them!

If you are given a gift card to a place you love, how could you complain? In many situations, this is a heartfelt gesture of wanting to get you something from your favorite store, but ensuring it is exactly what you would want.

3. Eggnog is gross.

Not much more I can say… I just cannot stand eggnog.

Being a Starbucks barista who is now in the middle of “Eggnog latte” season definitely does not help the eggnog’s case.

Don’t let me yuck your yum, though.

4. Santa photos creep me out

The concept of spending $45 on photos of your child sitting on a stranger’s lap, and more times than not, in full sob mode…

5. Wrapping paper is not the way to go

Emotionally… I LOVE wrapping paper. Logically… I can’t stand it.

Despite being so CUTE.., there is something a little painful about seeing hours of work shredded to pieces in minutes, just to go into the garbage. The amount of waste produced from something that is just a covering on a box… sigh.

I have been slowly trying to use more gift bags or boxes, but I still sneak in a few wrapped presents. On my way to creating a sustainable wrapping paper company.

Okay, guys, I promise I am not a Scrooge. I love the holiday seasons, and especially love seeing everyone celebrating in their own unique ways with their own special customs.

Have a safe, happy Christmas, and drink as much eggnog as you want. I won’t judge.

Audney Burnside is Co-President of the St. Bonaventure Her Campus chapter. She publishes articles weekly, spanning the topics of music, lifestyle and popular culture. She hopes to further the amazing creativity that her chapter of Her Campus has to share with the world, while coordinating meetings, helping where needed, and running the business side of things!

Audney is currently a senior at St. Bonaventure University, studying Public Health in the 3+2 Occupational Therapy Master's program. Audney brings a high degree of campus involvement to the chapter, not only as Co-Pres of Her Campus, but also as a peer mentor in Bona Buddies, the President of SBU for Equality, a Student Ambassador and also as a peer tutor!

Apart from academics, Audney’s life revolves around the music she loves, outdoorsy adventures, and her best friends. Audney is a devoted cat mom and enthusiastic nature explorer, who loves kayaking with her family, takes way too much pride in her Taylor Swift concert attendance, and will bring up The Catcher in the Rye at any moment possible. Don't even get her started on Pride and Prejudice....