Have a Holly Hectic Christmas

If there's one thing I've learned to expect is that there is no force that can stop the Christmas season. Living in the Midwest the majority of my life, Christmas has always involved freezing cold temperatures, long johns, hot chocolate, and the classic christmas claymation movie marathons that come on ABC Family (now known as Freeform). After moving to San Francisco, California, I have noticed that it is all too true that the power of Christmas can't be stopped, but in this location it comes in a slightly different form.

Living amongst bustling city dwellers is nothing new to me. Although I have dabbled in country living, my expertise is still in the lively city crowds. However, I have never dealt with a Christmas crowd as rowdy as that of San Francisco. I live in the heart of the city, downtown, right next to Union Square. This is otherwise known as shopping central in San Francisco. This is also the area of what I like to call the tourist takeover. I can barely walk to work in the morning without bumping into at least 15 people and I live a block away. Take this action and multiply it times 10 during the holiday season.

I admire that although the weather out in San Francisco doesn't include snow, the decorations during the holidays are nothing short of spectacular. Macy's is the main showstopper with towering lights and decorations draped in the windows of their building. In the center of Union Square, where city dwellers can usually walk through to have a casual bite to eat, there in its place is an ice skating rink hopping with holiday music and individuals of all ages. The centerpiece however is the massive tree that is placed in the center that lights up the nighttime sky. Moving further past Union Square, Market street ( a popular street in the city) is lined with wreath-like decorations and ornaments. ​

It is clear to see why many tourists frequent this area when they are visiting from their home state or country, but there is more to their visits than just admiring the sparkling lights of Downtown San Francisco. They are shopping for gifts and they can be vultures. In addition to the usual holiday season predators that scale the walls of shopping malls, retail stores, and boutiques, tourists add a whole other meaning to the term of the aggressive holiday shopper. I've seen with my own eyes that if a size isn't available or a shirt no longer comes in the color they desire, they instantly go into panic mode. At first it starts with the begging and asking to "please check the back because I don't live here." Then the associate comes back bearing bad news and the angry rant ensues.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly someone can jump from having holiday cheer and the look of wonder while string lights reflect from their eyes to wanting to tear someone's head off for grabbing the sweater they clearly had their hands on. Or even better, how loud they can yell at the Starbucks barista for running out of ingredients for the peppermint cafe mocha they waited all day to pour down their throat. The frustration and beauty of the holidays are both so amplified in San Francisco. Whether it's to go admire the lavish holiday decorations or to accomplish some last minute shopping, I wish you all the best of luck when venturing into downtown San Francisco during the holiday season.