In the past, it was my aim to have my Christmas cards written by Thanksgiving and available for mailing at whatever date seemed appropriate to the distance they needed to travel.
In those days, I had a longish list and being a busy person, I had limited time for the task.
Now I have none of those things and furthermore lack enthusiasm for the job.
So far, I have purchased two small packs of cards more out of support for the seller than for the intention to write cheerful greetings.
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What I really want to write is:
FORGET CHRISTMAS! WE’VE GOT A CRISIS TO DEAL WITH!
To be honest, I would be a lot less polite.
With every passing day it becomes more obvious that a raving lunatic is at the helm and for everyone to be carrying on as if this was perfectly normal is mind boggling.
So, to be writing Christmas cards feels frivolous.
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The Constitution that all Americans are so proud of and which provides protections against just this sort of situation is proving to be just another tool, employed only when deemed useful by the wrong people who stamp all over everyone else’s rights.
There is no such thing as a perfect politician. It is a dirty business. But a “leader” who spits insults and poison at his opponents while stirring his followers to violence with blatant, shameless lies is a monster.
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If I was in charge, God forbid, I would do away with Christmas.
Not the religious part. People should be free to follow whatever faith they choose.
What I’d do away with is gift giving and crappy decorations. Santa Claus and jingle bells.
There would be no more Christmas trees and parties.
Admittedly, this would not be popular, – at first.
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Kids that don’t grow up with Santa Claus and Christmas presents don’t miss them.
My dislike of Christmas parties was people over-imbibing and getting into trouble, misbehaving and causing accidents. I don’t know the answer to that since people need to relax and have fun from time to time. Maybe if we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves a little more often daily stress wouldn’t get so bottled up and explosive?
As we enjoyed ourselves and relaxed more, ideally we would also spread out our goodwill. All that Spirit of Christmas could and should exist year round. If you can be nice on December 25th, you can do it every other day.
Retail wouldn’t need to suffer. All the money spent on unnecessary, often unwanted Christmas gifts could instead purchase much needed clothing and food for the less fortunate who are never in short supply. Children would grow up looking forward to this joyous, happy and rewarding event.
The makers of all those crap stocking-stuffers and tacky nonsense would have to cease and desist and get serious jobs.
Fortunately, the only thing I shall ever be in charge of is loving my furry companions.
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Since I became an adult, I have tried to completely ignore Christmas. Unfortunately, I have been married three times to wives who dearly love Christmas. So I have learned to keep quiet, and go with the flow. It is all over by the 27th, and then I can relax. The over-imbibing (of red wine) is the only thing that gets me through the ridiculous festive season. 🍷
You have a madman in the White House, and nobody is brave enough to stop him. In my 73 years, I never thought I would see America fall so low.
Best wishes, Pete.
Nor me, Pete.
I wish, Carolyn, that I could change your sad mood for the better, although you have to wait for the election, which will change things at the top. Christmas should not be only about decorations and other trivia, but can also be a time of joy.
Joanna
Unfortunately, I fear we (you and me) are in the minority. However, it is so wrong that families often feel obliged to spend money they don’t have on tat and short-lived gifts so their children aren’t disappointed or feel left out. Christmas and Halloween have become so commercialised and stressful, and it would be wonderful if we could wave our magic wand to get back to simpler times!
Here in South Africa, Christmas isn’t such a big fuss as it is in the USA – like the huge Christmas trees and strings and strings of lights … it’s even as if our shopping malls have adopted a more subdued Christmas atmosphere this year. That suits me, because for us, Christmas has never been about a big colourful Christmas tree or expensive gifts – being together as a family has always been much more important. As I have said before, you should rather use your own photos for Christmas cards – it’s much more personal and beautiful!