Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Bloomingdale’s
Despite what it may seem like,Billy Porteris “not a holiday person.”
With a history of performances at theMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeand theNational Christmas Tree Lighting, plus the releasing ofseveral holiday singlesover the years, Porter recently told PEOPLE “the truth” about what keeps bringing him back to the Christmas scene.
“To keep myself in the holiday spirit and sort of be present in this space, I go to work and it fills me up,” Porter, 53, revealed to PEOPLE exclusively ahead of his performance at Bloomingdale’s holiday window unveiling on Thursday night in New York City.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Bloomingdale’s
His reasoning? “There’s so much of it,” theEmmy Award winnersaid — specifically referring to the “commercialization of Christmas,” like “the fact that I’m in stores right after Halloween and it’s already Christmas.”
While Porter noted that “it can be too much sometimes,” as it often weighs heavy on him mentally, he explained that “showing up and doing things like this really affects my mental health in a great way.”
He added, “Because I show up and I’m being of service in some way. Sharing my gifts is being of service… and I like that.” Porter kicked off Bloomingdale’s Best Holiday Ever campaign with a special performance, continuing the celebration of the American luxury store’s 150th anniversary.
But come Dec. 25th, the lights and the production of all that he surrounds himself with leading up to Christmas Day go dark for Porter — and the emphasis is placed on family, “whether it’s blood or whether it’s chosen.”
“I go really quiet. My life is really large,” said thePosestar of how he celebrates the holidays. “My husband, the dog, my sister, a couple of friends… those are the traditions.” He adds, “Making sure that those connections happen is a really good thing for me.”
This “tradition” in part datesback to his childhood, where the importance of the day was centered around loved ones — as opposed to the thing that has become synonymous with the holiday: presents.
For Porter, “The focus at Christmas time was not about giving gifts. It was about family,” he says. “I grew up very poor. We didn’t have a lot of money,” he noted while emphasizing, “The focus was really about connection with family and not necessarily who’s going to get what or how much you’re going to get.”
Though the singer says he doesn’t need a gift, he did mention that his husband,Adam Smith, is a good gift giver — unlike Porter who revealed, “I’m not the greatest at it.” Thanks to Smith, Porter has been learning the art of gift giving; though, has admittedly been sticking to his own preferred gift-giving game plan.
“I ask the person what they want,” explained Porter. “I’m going to get you that gift,” he simply stated before confessing, “It’s not the greatest strategy.”
While December is almost near and the new year is right around the corner, Porter has a few passion projects in the works that he’s eager to share. “I’m looking forward to my new music. I have new music coming out,” he revealed. “I’m excited to expand my creative presence in that space again.”
As for New Year’s resolutions? “No, I don’t do that,” Porter instantly said without hesitation.
He followed up with, “Just be grateful.”
source: people.com
