It's October 10th, and we are already weeks into the Christmas season! Really?! I know, I know, it's no surprise to people anymore -- it's almost expected. Back to school and Christmas countdown all at once. Is it any wonder that the day after Christmas I look forward to putting all the decorations away...preferably before noon! We are inundated with music, lights, movies, sales, Santas, toys, catalogs, and of course, commercials -- "Christmased" out by the 25th! How very, very sad. And did you even notice that I never even mentioned Halloween or Thanksgiving?
I've worked in retail and know that the retail season is 3-6 months ahead of the actual season. And now there is a 5th season -- it comes in January and is called "cruise season." Exactly. Personally, I'd like to see a ban on all-things-Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Is it ever going to happen? Never. So what can we do?
Let's face it...Halloween is for kids. Something happens when we grow up and Halloween doesn't seem fun and exciting anymore. But to kids? It's amazing! I can remember that after trick-or-treating my brother and sister and I would dump our pumpkins out on the kitchen table and swap and trade candy. Likewise when my own kids were young -- there was more laughter and fun going on than the actual outing for the goods. Relax and enjoy...
After Halloween, let's get excited about Thanksgiving. I know there is a lot of PC stuff in the news about how this group wants the holiday banned, and Columbus was a no-good-SOB, etc, etc. Ugh...people, let it go already! Let's be grateful that this amazing country was discovered and has become the welcome beacon to so many different people. Let's celebrate our achievements and uniqueness. And to do so with family, friends, turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie...even better.
And after the meal, as you are laying on the couch watching the game, drifting in and out of a very satisfied sleepiness, then you may begin to think about Christmas. It might even begin early the next morning with all the Christmas sales. Think how much more happy and excited people would be if they saw the Christmas decorations for the first time that day! And the lights on the trees would seem special and bright, the carols more meaningful, and the Santas jolly...the way it should be.
And Advent, oh how I love Advent! Going to church every Sunday brings me that much closer to the real gift of Christmas. I want to feel that excitement and yearning that only comes with the true meaning of Christmas. It's a feeling that I haven't felt in quite a few years and I want it back...this year.
So, how do I get it back? Well, I can grumble about commercialism and this and that, but guess what? It is totally up to me to change how I feel. So...I'm going to start with Halloween. I never dress up for our Fall Festival at school..."It's just not my thing..." Well, you're right, it really is not my thing, but that's not what it is all about -- it's about the kids and their fun. So this year I'm dressing up as Mary Poppins...and totally looking forward to it! Woo hoo! And Thanksgiving? Instead of moaning about the crowds and sales and people...I might just join in this year!
Christmas...I want to feel the excitement and energy as I once did, not the work, commitments, guilt, or the same 'ol routine. I want to make a conscious effort to embrace the wonderfulness of the entire season...from start to finish.
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