Nothing is what it was when I was a kid.
I used to run around in the woods all summer in my underpants catching frogs and wrestling my siblings. We would be arrested for that at this point. And probably become Youtube sensations.
When I was a kid Christmas was a little magical.
I went to bed one night and woke up to a 20 foot Christmas tree in my living room that Dad and Uncle Howie got drunk and cut down and dragged through the woods. We once hosted 40 people for dinner. I imagine that was less magical for my mother, but I digress.
So when you're a kid Christmas is a magic thing.
But when you get bigger it can kinda suck. There's a lot of pressure and possibly alot of expense and you have to drive in the crap weather. And then there are the hipster Grinch types.
People who are struggling as much as anyone else with the holidays and all they encompass, but feel free to share the misery.
The irony that I am doing the same thing right now is not lost on me. However, this is my blog and you don't have to read it. Don't let the door hit ya on the butt on the way out.
Here are some of my favourite gripes from Grinches and my response to them. One day I'll do a blog post that isn't a list. Today isn't that day y'all.
"Let's keep the Christ in Christmas"
Yes, Christmas is a Christian Holiday. Placed right over top of the Pagan holiday, next to the Jewish holiday.
So for all intents and purposes this is indeed a HOLIDAY SEASON. If you would prefer to wish people a Merry Christmas, please do. Ain't nobody stopping you. Wish them a happy Yule? Your call. Happy Hanukkah is cool too. Don't like any of those? There's always Festivus for the Rest of us. But for the love of all that is holy please don't pull on your victim hat and say other cultures are trying to subvert your holiday. And stay the hell off of my Facebook page while you're doing it.
Christmas is too commericalized
Yes, corporations make some fine cash off of the holiday season. Black Friday is so named because companies sell enough that day to put their books in the black. Were you going to go ahead and make your gifts? Cause that would rock. Got some awesome wood carving skills do ya? Able to paint? Cool.
The reality is that at this time in our culture most of the goods we buy are from corporations. You ain't griping all year long when you wander the aisles of walmart but come Dec 1st everybody is a social responsibility crusader.
Don't misunderstand, I try to shop local as much as I can. But I make a challenge out of it. "what can I buy from a local vendor that would be of use to my recipient?" Sometimes it's not possible. So I suck it up and go to Walmart. And I shut up about it.
We spend too much on toys the kids don't need
Kids don't need most of the toys they have. True Story. So don't buy your kids toys. We used to get one big family gift (remember the first Nintendo? DUCK HUNT) then some stuff individually. There were plenty of books, and art supplies and outside toys like shovels and clothes. And we loved it.
Everybody is miserable during the Holidays. Suicides go up
Ah yuh. People are miserable. There's no sun. It's cold. Its dark. Wouldn't this be a great time of year to have some time set aside for sitting around eating and drinking and giving each other thoughtful little gifts and singing songs and decorating the cave? Might be a great idea. Lets do that.
The holidays to me represent a chance to do several things.
Think about the people you love:
It's a gift giving time. What could the people you love have use for? What would make them smile? Last year I bought every body composters for their kitchens with charcoal filters to keep the smell down. Big hit.
What can you do to make the lives of those you love easier? Ima do all the cookies this year thanks to a cookie exchange.
Celebrate what you have:
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Us Canadians have it pretty frigging decent compared to some places in the world. Maybe we could stand around being happy for what we have instead of bitching bout what we don't .
Act Charitably:
It's the giving season and while we have it good here there is always room for giving. So put some money in a Salvation Army Kettle, buy a toy for the toy drive. Shovel your neighbour's walk. Take cookies to a shut in. The list is endless.
Be with the people you love:
So we're eating and drinking together, maybe while we're doing some festivities we take the time to really talk to those around us. I mean, we're gonna be here all night. Right? Ask how some one is doing...then shut up and listen. Listen like listening...not waiting for your opportunity to talk.
Reflect on the year
This may be more of a New Year's thing...but it's never too early to start reflecting and possibly setting goals.
Wear a stupid hat and sing really loud:
This never gets old and there are too few opportunities to do this in a socially acceptable manner. And you're not too cool to do it. I promise. Trust me.
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