People tend to get a little preachy this time of year. Don't get me wrong. I love a good soap box as much as the next self- righteous mama, but see, I don't do the whole "put the Christ back in Christmas" busy-ness. I'm not a Christian, so for me, the holidays aren't a religious celebration. Okay, that's not entirely accurate. I love the holidays so very much that they are religious experiences in that I make merry like it's a sacred rite, a holy sacrament.

I was recently being a Braggy McBragerton about how I'd finished all of my Littles' Christmas shopping and it wasn't even Thanksgiving (like that deserves some kind of major award) when two women chastised me for not remembering the "reason for the season." They didn't mean well at all, even though they were smiling like they were about to do the Lord, Jesus Christ, a personal favor. I may not be a Christian, but me and the J-Man go way back, so I shut my braggy, sassy mouth when I really just wanted to tell those heifers that axis tilt is the reason for the season.

"Let's not forget what Christmas is REALLY about!" one of the women whispered passionately to me as she picked up a grande soy gingerbread latte with whipped cream to go, hoisted her Coach bag onto her shoulders, and headed back out to her Lexus. I'm not saying Christians can't have all that bling, y'all. Christians who feel compelled to reprimand me for being materialistic sure have a hell of a lot of nerve, adjusting their rose colored Prada sunglasses while preaching about the sanctity of Christ's birth. Puh-leez.

I could lie and tell y'all that I tried to take the WWJD approach to Black Friday, but some of you might also read my blog. If you do, you'll already know what I think about all the she-beasts and bad mamas who took their babies out in the middle of the cold night so they could save a buck on whatever worthless piece of gadgetry we're all dying to find under the tree this year. I was through with my shopping already, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to accompany my soul sister out into the fray. Plus, I knew it would make excellent fodder for my deliciously vulgar blog.

I didn't have any gifts I just had to find on Black Friday, so I could really focus on the people who were at Toys "R" Us and later, Target. You'll have to read the blog for the details, because that kind of commentary is too colorful for print. What I want to share with y'all has less to do with my salacious vocabulary and more to do with what Christmas means to me, my personal reasons for the season, if you will. Being out in the middle of all that Black Friday madness really helped me understand more about who I am and how my family celebrates the holidays.

I don't have to put the Christ back in Christmas. Not because of the "I'm not a Christian" thing, but because the teachings of Christ have never been gone from my holiday celebration. I'm not restricted to traditions and doctrines with which I don't believe. In other words, I get to do this thing my way. The teachings of Jesus Christ are about love, plain and simple. The practical applications of love are evident in my life, especially during this time of year when the cold weather pushes me inside and deeper into my home, heart and self. That winter magic happens to each and every one of us and it's a true blessing.

My reason for the season is love. I'm not just talking about all of the gift giving as a manifestation of that love. I'm talking about the time spent with my family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers. I'm talking about baking, sharing, decorating, laughing, singing, playing - all manifestations of love - from the day after Thanksgiving until the New Year signals for us to get ready to do it all again.

Now, my white trashery runs deep, so that love means breaking out the Hickory Farms sausage log and cheese ball on Christmas Eve. It means, you'll find a big, light up, inflatable Santa in my front yard and tinsel on my tree. It means, I'll participate in at least one game of Dirty Santa and I'll drink too much cheap wine at least once (maybe twice - okay, who am I kidding? - three or four times) before the New Year.

Here's my preachy, soap box moment this holiday season. Don't worry about other folks and how they celebrate. Don't remind anybody else to put the Christ back in Christmas. It's such hollow endorsement of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Just be who you are and celebrate in your way. I promise you, the J-man will be more than cool with that.

Beth McAfee-Hallman lives in Covington and can be emailed at mamabee@onefabulousmama.com.