Last week I was at Wal-Mart and was astonished to find that they already had Christmas decorations and lights in the aisles for those who wanted to get ready for Christmas really, really early. I have noticed in recent years that Christmas starts earlier and earlier every year from advertising in stores to Christmas music on the radio. I used to be able to go into a store in early November without having to dodge snowmen, Christmas trees and ads proclaiming: “This Year’s Hottest Holiday Gift!”
It didn’t bother me much at first. As I was driving home however, I was considering how much control corporations have over our emotions and sense of need. Why is it that they can just start a holiday as soon as the last one ends? Why do we buy into this? When I was a kid we started celebrating Christmas halfway through December . . . I liked it that way.
Christmas extravaganza gives way to New years blitz, which happens to run until about a month before Easter. Then it’s Victoria day sales, Canada Day sales, Labor Day, Halloween etc. Holidays are meant to be special and unique, and the meaning is sucked right out of them when we seldom get a day without one. Think about it, when are we not being advertised to about the next big thing coming up? There’s never a time without some holiday being shoved down our throats in the aisles of any major store.
I love Christmas. I love the meaning behind it and the memories of my childhood that come into focus that time of year. I appreciate a glass of egg nog, Christmas oranges, lights and trees. I enjoy Christmas as much as the next guy, I just find that when Christmas eight weeks early, I stop enjoying it long before it actually rolls around. I don’t like ending Christmas with a sigh and a “thank goodness that’s over”.
It got me thinking though, if we can be gearing up for Christmas in October, and Easter in February, why not follow that through to it’s logical conclusion. We should be able to celebrate any special day, starting whenever we want to.
I have decided that I’m going to call my boss on Monday and let him know that I won’t be in because I’m celebrating Saturday, I’m sure he’ll understand.
