Christmas has arrived! It is the time when families come together to spend the holidays together, enjoy the celebrations with enthusiasm typical of the little ones in the house, and overflow with joy and happiness from sharing important dates with loved ones. Or not?
There are people who are the spitting image of the Grinch, a being who hates Christmas and tries to destroy it at all costs. The villain, played by Jim Carrey in 2000, is already part of the popular imagination, and his name describes those who have lost the Christmas spirit. Some celebrities do not hide their similarities with the protagonist.
Hugh Grant hates this time of year with all his might: “Christmas has always given me the chills, even when I was a child.” The actor is terrified by the figure of Santa Claus or, as he describes it, “an old pervert coming down the chimney.” Unlike many families, all the Grants repudiate these holidays: in recent years he has taken his father on vacation to a Muslim country to completely escape them. Such is his hatred of Christmas that even his children “don't have any Christmas spirit.”
Ariana Grande also dislikes Santa Claus, a character who has disappointed her many times. The artist feels that, although it is one of the most joyful times of the year, there are tons of broken hearts, so the atmosphere reminds her of the song Last Christmas (Wham!), a failed love story. Despite everything, Ella Grande has been closely linked to Christmas, since she has recorded songs like Christmas Kisses (2013) or Santa Tell Me (2014).
Even so, they are not the only celebrities who do not like the figure of Santa. Lady Gaga bit a stuffed Santa Claus during a concert in London (2010), which someone in the audience threw at her while she was performing. “I hate parties. "I'm alone and I'm miserable, you damn little stuffed toy," she said on stage.
The love/hate relationship with Christmas is, in part, linked to childhood experiences. Jennifer Aniston revealed that a very traumatic story when she was a child makes her hate these holidays: “They forced me to do belly dancing on Christmas Eve. “My dad’s family is Greek and I had to dance.” The Friends star remembers that stage as a form of humiliation.
Other celebrities hate Christmas simply because of what it represents. Noel Gallagher, Oasis guitarist, considers that “the whole period is a stain on society.” Even though he has given the holidays a second chance, he has not been able to get into this time of year. “Too much food, too much We Are The World, the sweaters, the TV presenters, the advertisements, the weather, the faces of disappointed children in my house.”
Miley Cyrus also made public her detachment from these holidays in an Instagram post: “Call me Grinch, but Christmas always makes me deeply sad. It is full of excess and greed. I just hope that this year everyone gives love and acceptance not only to their own family, but also to those who do not have everything they want due to the unfair circumstances of life.
Even so, other celebrities enjoy Christmas celebrations. Some have starred in the films or Christmas carols typical of these holidays, and others are simply faithful to the spirit of Christmas, people who live this time with the enthusiasm of a child.
John Legend is passionate about parties. “I love Christmas music. I grew up in a very musical family, and we loved celebrating Christmas together. The most important thing was to gather around the piano.” The American considers that his voice is “made for Christmas music”, which is why he released the album A Legendary Christmas in 2018. Since then, the singer has become a classic of this time of year.
The artist Katy Perry is also personally and professionally linked to Christmas. “I'm the person who, the day after Thanksgiving, says, 'Christmas music now!'” In fact, she released the single Cozy Little Christmas in 2018, a song inspired by a vacation she spent in Denmark with her family. The interpreter believes that this time of year means "warmth, and that everyone has that feeling of togetherness."
Jennifer López also considers Christmas to be her favorite holiday, and highlights that it is the brightest of all. Enjoy some Puerto Rican traditions: "We cook cakes, and arroz con gandules, and pernil, and all the specialties." JLo also joins the list of singers who have released Christmas music: in 2020 she covered It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year along with Stevie Mackey, his singing teacher.
Still, singers aren't the only ones who enjoy caroling: Reese Witherspoon loves traditional Christmas music. The actress has loved the holidays since childhood: "I remember bundling up and walking around the neighborhood. It's one of my favorite Christmas memories of her as a child in Nashville."
Actor Neil Patrick Harris, who played Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, continues to live the excitement of Christmas through his children. He has regained some of his Christmas spirit thanks to them, and they celebrate Christmas Eve in a special way: "We walk around and talk about the things we are grateful for, hoping Santa doesn't bring coal."
For many people, Christmas is the perfect occasion to reunite with loved ones. This is the case of Katie Holmes: “The holiday season means a lot to me, because it is a time to be with family and let the people you love know how much you care.” The actress takes the opportunity to do activities with those close to her, such as making cookies or playing board games.
Be that as it may, Christmas has arrived for everyone, both for people who love the holidays and for the Grinch; some will enjoy them, and others will not have to try to survive.
