I don't celebrate Christmas anymore but I still like it. It reminds me of happy times. Of when I was a kid and we had nothing but my Mom and Dad STILL managed to pull something out of their asses for long enough to make us smile. It reminds me of my cousins. Of that dread that they would get better gifts from my Grandma and Grandpa than I would get. The fun of decorating that plastic Christmas tree in the living room of my Grandparent's home in Florida and the excitement I got when I came home from school and saw the Santa door cover that my Grandpa put up every year. The poinsettia plants that my Grandma planted under my bedroom window just for me. The ceramic Christmas tree that was always placed on my dresser during this holiday. The table. That Christmas table with my aunts and uncles sitting around it, laughing and being a family. How we all anticipated a fight but they let the differences go for that meal together. I may be remembering it differently than it was but I don't care. That's how I saw it as a child and how I choose to remember it.
Today, I see people overwhelmed by the commercialism. I'm not saying that when I was a kid it wasn't commercialized (remember the Cabbage Patch Kid riots??). What I am saying is that we are pushed. Pushed into believing that we can't enjoy that little slice of happiness that is family and joy without being made to think we are doing it wrong by some media outlet or another. We (that means YOU too) allow ourselves to be whipped into a frenzy about 6pm store openings on Thanksgiving for Christmas deals and steals. If you don't believe those stores should open that early for neighbor trampling... Don't participate. It really is that simple. I find it hysterical that we are told by the Mainstream Media that we are outraged by Wal-Mart opening Thanksgiving at 6pm but you can clearly see that masses that are willing to commit a felony assault against another human being just to be able to say they got a GoGoGadget cell phone for $150 off the retail price!
I guess what I'm getting at here is if you allow yourself to be drawn into the hype your Holiday Spirit will begin to diminish. Really, just move on to another issue on your Christmas list and don't give it another thought. Why allow yourself to be wrapped up in the negative when there are sooooo many other things more pressing in your life. Why be so bothered by a store being open on Thanksgiving? You don't seem bothered by the Hindis that own the Quick Stop being open to accommodate that six pack you forgot you said you'd bring or the gas you need to get on that day. Why do you care if Fred Meyer is open that day? You choose to leave or stay home during that time. You and only you. Are you outraged that Little Johnny isn't coming home for Thanksgiving dinner? Did he apply for the job at Best Buy? Well, guess what? He may have to work that day. People in hotels do it year after year. I don't see you crying about the kitchen staff at your local Denny's having to work on Christmas Day. So... Again... What's your point?
Is it because:
I know that we are being told that there is a War on Christmas. I think it's more of a War on Respect. It could also be deemed a War on Tolerance. Why does anyone care if there is a Nativity Scene on the neighbor's lawn? Who cares if the kids sing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in school choir? Do they not also sing "Let it Snow"? If you don't want your kids singing religious songs... Pull them out for the Holiday Season. Or, how about you let them decide if they want to participate and stop pushing your stick up the ass attitude on your kids? You want your kids to learn tolerance? How do you think they will learn tolerance when you sit there and tell them that they can't be a part of something bigger than themselves because "It's not what we do in this house"? C'mon. Have a bit more common sense than that. YOU are teaching your kids to be spiteful to things YOU don't like. Kids like to sing songs. Let them. Singing "Oh Christmas Tree" isn't going to turn them into a Bible Thumping zealot anymore than letting their Gay Uncle Bruce teach them how to ride a two wheel bike is going to make them gay. Get fucking over yourself.
*riled up now*
Anyway, what was my whole issue? Oh. Christmas spirit. What does it mean? Why are my Christian (and secular Christmas celebrating friends) losing their joy for this season? I think it's a matter of taking a deep breath. Reflect for a bit over what this season means to you. Not to your partner. Not to your kids. But to you. Remind yourself of why you have always found this time of year special. Is it for religious reasons? Then grab onto that. Is it for the secular gift giving? Then make that your thing. Is it family? Love them. Invite them into your home and accept invitations to theirs. Be the bigger person. Set differences aside for a bit. Are you having an issue because life isn't perfect? What makes Christmas different from May 5th if that's the case? Accept that life isn't perfect. We are not perfect. Christmas doesn't have to be perfect. The Christmas spirit is what you make it. If you choose to be grouchy and fussy then that is the memory you will take with you this year and ultimately give to others. Is that your Christmas gift to your family and friends this year? A memory of your poor attitude?
I have a Christmas Challenge for all my Bah Humbug friends:
Treat this year like it's your last Christmas. Like you want to have a lasting memory of love and laughter and like you may never get the opportunity to share that with the people you care about again.
And stop with all the dull drums, already.
