I’m a rigid person. I don’t know if I’ve always been this way, but I’m now able to admit that I am rigid. I have some structure in my life and to me, there are ways things should be done. I don’t necessarily ask that everyone adhere to my structure, but just don’t mess with my routine. Case in point – I love Thanksgiving and I’m all about Thanksgiving as soon as Halloween ends. Which is why I ask that everyone please leave the month of November for Thanksgiving.
It’s a losing battle, however, and I realize that. Long before I was born, retailers and greeting card companies started dressing up November in Christmas trim. Heck, even Charlie Brown and Linus Van Pelt bemoaned the overpowering force of commercialism way back in 1965. I still remember asking my mother, when I was just a young boy, why Santa Claus was part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. What did Santa have to do with Thanksgiving?
But I digress. I didn’t intent to rant about the holidays here because today is a good day. I typically look to December 1 as the starting point of the Christmas season. I can now sink myself into Christmas carols and stop avoiding all those radio stations that have been playing 24/7 carols for weeks. I can start (or start to think about) my Christmas shopping. I can start decorating my apartment. It all starts today.
Or does it? I can’t flip a switch on my Christmas cheer, and I don’t feel it yet. Perhaps our recent near-70-degree temperatures have something to do with that. I hope my cheer gets here soon. I wouldn’t mind some cold weather (it’ll be here starting tomorrow), some snow flurries (also in our near forecast), and a viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life to jumpstart my spirit. Merry Christmas, everybody!
So, if November is for Thanksgiving.. And December is for spreading the Christmas Cheer, when do you start gearing up for New Years?
Good question, LTJ. We spend the whole month of December building up to the crescendo that is Christmas. It builds and builds and the excitement is fun. But then we wake up on the 26th and it’s all over. It feels like the Christmas tree is mocking us. We have to talk ourselves into lighting the Christmas lights. Boxing Day is a mourning day. That enormous post-Christmas letdown makes it easy to geer up for New Year’s.
Speaking of…you two are staying out West for the Eve?
Makes sense.. I’d have to agree with that, come 12/26 — the only thing i’ve got on my mind is my plans for the New year.
As for this year — we’re out west for the holidays entirely. We didn’t make ti back for Thanksgiving and we don’t plan on returning for XMas either.. considering we just moved out here (and the cost of flights) we figured we’d hold down the Californian fort for this holiday.
Besides, we’ll let you guys freeze out there in New England while we enjoy the Californian sun.
It’s been in the high 60s all week, pal. You moved out West for nothing!
Get back to me in February.
I only celebrate the Chinese new year.
Hipster dufus.