"Christmas comes but once a year, to every girl and boy." I can't hear that song without thinking of Pink Floyd, The Wall, even though it is only in the background for a few seconds.
Christmas is great for kids. I don't remember any individual Christmas or Christmas presents. What I do remember is anticipating the coming Christmas. With a decorated tree, presents under it, wood fire in the fireplace, etc. I'm sure kids today still have that same thrill. We celebrated the gift-giving part of Christmas on Christmas Eve. And with the exception of a few trinkets that came in the stockings on Christmas morning, Christmas day was reserved more for going to church, going to relatives house etc.
Approaching old-manhood, things are different. For weeks now we've been bombarded with ads about what to buy. As Christmas approaches, even the news is dominated by Christmas presents and the hoards at the mall. Frankly, it is sad, an abomination as one manager at work said. What I don't understand is why the season needs to be stressful. We see people on tv, at work, at the grocery store, agonizing about what to 'get' someone for Christmas. If it is that hard to find, they probably don't need it. The last thing most of us need is a sweater we did not pick out for ourselves or, heaven forbid, some crap nick-nack to sit on a shelf and collect dust. Christmas presents should be reserved for children or the rare occasion where something meaningful can be shared. By creating an atmosphere of forced participation, the entire thing is cheapened, an annual trading of gift cards.
Frankly, I like Christmas now. No decorations. No tree. No presents. No music in the background. No malls. It is a few extra free days off to relax when work doesn't pile up at the office. More time for long dog walks. I used to hate them, but I do like writing and reading the updates that sometimes come in Christmas cards as long as they are interesting and concise; absolutely no more than one page. I'm not sure my model will work for everyone, but it eliminates the artificial stress that is rampant between Thanksgiving and New Years.
So Merry Christmas. Or, Happy Solstice - presents are for Christmas, so there is a way out.
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