I noticed something interesting this last week.. If I go outside and look for "Signs of the Christmas Season" the only place I see them are in stores/malls/shopping centers.. Now hold on to that thought..How many days would one celebrate Christmas? The actually day is only one day, just like *MOST* other holidays. I understand that New Years is close to Christmas..but that is only one night. St Pattys day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Easter...etc..Those holidays are all one night. Now the Christmas Season starts on the first available day that most people have no work. Does anyone know why they call it "Black Friday"? Black is the color for profits. If a company is in the Red, they may be brought into the Black in that single Friday. (How true that is these days is another story) Go into almost any store and you will hear the same Christmas songs tugging on your sentimental feelings of the holiday seasons that have always played, see the same decorations that are always up, and witness the same customer service issues. It dawned on me that the season is almost entirely marked by consumerism. All of these people hold onto these traditions because they are traditions and not a single one of them stops to ask "What am I doing? What am I spending money on toys, electric shavers, and bath slippers? Is this really what it's about?" and then the same people who are cursing and yelling at the customer service clerk have the audacity to claim it's in the name of some Holiday Spirit and they promote good will of all men. I used to be one of those people and I think working in retail during the holiday season a few years ago opened my eyes. The same people who wish you happy holidays would just as soon stomp on your head to reach out and grab the last item on sale. Party A spends money for Party B, Party B spends money for Party A. Party A and Party B now have gifts they probably could have picked out for themselves based on their own preferences. The gift giving is unnecessary. I'm an adult who likes to practice self control and controlling my weaknesses/impulses. If I need something, I will buy it. It I WANT something, I probably don't need it :-) For me, the holiday is about eating with the family, telling stories, decorating the tree, putting lights outside for a change, eating gingerbread, watching the classic Christmas movies, and enjoying a day where everyone doesn't have to work haha. We treat Christmas like Valentines day, We leave religious beliefs and consumerism out of it, we just celebrate The Love.
