Christmas All Year Long

Does anyone else think that the 12 days of Christmas might be in danger of turning into the 12 months of Christmas? As a society it seems we have settled into a pattern of inching backward every year on the calendar to earlier and earlier acceptable times for “getting our Christmas on.” I’m reminded of something my dad used to say, “There are only two seasons anymore, Fourth of July and Christmas.” He had a legitimate point, as I’ve seen Christmas supplies for sale as early as August in the last couple of years.

I suppose, at one level, there might not be anything wrong with extending the holiday season. While I’m on the topic, I certainly don’t see why we can’t call it the holiday season. I refuse to stop recognizing Thanksgiving, and it is part of the holidays. New Year’s Day is also part of the season of celebration. If you ever hear me say, “happy holidays,” it’s not because I’m being politically correct, it’s because the word holiday is derived from two words, “holy day” and it means a time of commemoration. It’s not anti-religious. It’s a pro-religious term.

Celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier is a means for retailers, who are often struggling to stay in business, to sell more merchandise. In spite of my current views on consumerism, I’ve owned a retail store and I know how tough it is. Also, many people take great pleasure and comfort in their Christmas decorations. Anything which brings joy can’t be all bad. Maybe I’m just giving up and giving in to the inevitable, but I know that I certainly don’t get up in arms over Christmas mayhem like I have in previous times. 

I remember my very first letter to the editor of The West Plains Daily Quill, going on 40 years ago. At the time, I was livid about the “commercialization” of Christmas. I can’t remember what I thought was so crass about what was going on, but I’m guessing  by today’s standards, whatever was so awful then would be considered quaint now. I do know back then that businesses didn’t feel pressured to be open on Thanksgiving and there weren’t Christmas decorations up before Halloween.

Maybe one day there will be Christmas all year long, with the 25th of every month set aside as a special day for feasting and exchanging gifts. It would be a job creator, for sure, by providing more steady employment for Santa Claus and his elves. In the year 2035, Easter will fall on March 25. That particular day could be a “super holiday,” with perhaps the Easter bunny and Santa Claus giving each other a hand in filling stockings and hiding eggs to relieve stress on the both of them. (The tooth fairy won’t be able to help. She will be too busy from all the teeth falling out due to the extra candy distribution.) We could have the world’s biggest fireworks display to celebrate, once again lighting up the sky over Bethlehem.

I’m not trying to be flippant or cranky. I suppose I’m merely wishing we could all relax a little during the last two months of the year without feeling the pressure to achieve some unattainable level of Christmas perfection. In the midst of settling down, we would likely find more of the peace and goodwill which ideally comes with the commemoration of the birth of Jesus.