Meaning of "the spirit of the season"

[Pivosz]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #77 "Christmas Postman (4)", question 6

I rubbed the package with a towel and went quickly again to number 56 hurrying down the path in the true ......... of the season,

(a) sense
(b) ghost
(c) taste
(d) spirit

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #77 "Christmas Postman (4)", answer 6

I rubbed the package with a towel and went quickly again to number 56 hurrying down the path in the true spirit of the season,

Correct answer: (d) spirit

Your answer was: incorrect
I rubbed the package with a towel and went quickly again to number 56 hurrying down the path in the true sense of the season,
_________________________

What does it mean 'the spirit of the season'?

Pivosz

[Alan]

Hi Pivosz,

The season in this story is Christmas and the spirit of this season is when people are supposed to show goodwill to each other. The spirit of the season means the mood or atmosphere of the Christmas season.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A funny thing happened...