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The Holidays are Here Again
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all
the way…." Songs such as these start to play in your
head automatically. It is indeed that time of year. The Holidays
are here again!
A few thoughts on the holidays from my
perspective. Many of these "thoughts" might make me
sound like the Grinch, but please do not think so. I love
Christmas and respect it as much as the next person.
- "Ready, set, go!" The intense
search for the right present begins on the day after
Thanksgiving, official start of the "Holiday
Shopping Season." Sure, this is the beginning of the
shopping season, but if you do not have your shopping
partially (or completely) done good luck; you are going
to need it!
- "It’s war!" The squeaky
shopping carts squeak louder than ever. Parents push at a
frantic pace to be able to get themselves and their
children what they wish. Panting parents are seen leaving
the grocery store, very few have even the hint of a
smile. The Holy Grail of Christmas shopping is to get
every one exactly what is on their wish list, a spot seen
seldom, by anyone, Bill Gates and us alike.
- "Hope I hooked them up right."
Famous last words this time of year. Take out the lights,
and make all kinds of shapes and figures, transforming
your lawn in to a miniature city (you are going to,
right?). The country of lights would be more appropriate
name for the United States in the month of December.
- "Must hide, must hide!" Shopping
all done? Hopefully it is, but that only accomplishes
half of your tasks. The endless odyssey to hide the
present continues this year. Every other hiding place
possible has been used, and has been discovered. Dumping
the presents in the most obvious place seems to suffice,
only because that’s another task done with on the
checklist.
- "Did you get the decorations?"
The question is there, what is your answer. Getting the
home ready for Christmas, a tough recipe requiring
several ingredients. The lighting is set, but what about
the tree. Lacing the tree with decorations is another
Christmas ritual without which the holiday would not be
complete. Does this make your home "Christmas
ready"? Nope. As the song goes you still have to
"Deck the halls with boughs of holly."
- "…’Tis the season to be
jolly…" No words will better be able to
describe the feeling that storeowners feel on the
holidays. The cash registers playing "Jingle
Bells" with their ringing sounds. One might almost
feel that the storeowner’s chuckle during this time
of year would resemble that of Newman in
"Seinfeld." "Huhhahahahahaha"(try to
read it. I tried my best to describe the laugh).
- "Mommy,
please notice I’m on my best behavior." Perhaps
the most positive aspect of Christmas is the arrival of
Kris Kringle. In a last attempt to salvage presents from
Santa, normally naughty kids change to angels (halo and
all). This certainly takes a load off many parents. I do
not know if Santa is real or not, but if you are all we
can say is "Thank you."
The above is a light-sided view of Christmas.
Christmas is indeed a fun time of year, with so many events and
happenings. The expectant faces of children shine with delight
when they see their presents on Christmas, no wonder it is the
most important holiday in the world for many. Merry Christmas.
Date posted: November 29, 1998.
What do you think about this?
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