Tis the Season

Tis the season to go shopping,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Donning our new apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Screw the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Lines before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Swipe your card or spend a few bucks.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Oh… Those aren’t the words?

Friday, November 1st, I stop into dunkin on my way to work. It is then that I notice, a mere day after Halloween, the new dunkin cups (photo stolen from a google search since I did not snap my own on that grim day)

Mama say whaaaa- what is going on here?! Christmas already?!

So the truth is out, I’m a Jew, but let’s be clear, I am not a Christmas hater. I’m actually a Christmas lover- you thought I love John for his looks and charm. No, it was for the chance to celebrate Christmas. So this is not a post about hating on the holiday itself. This is a post about hating on the death of a holiday and the immoral celebration of consumerism. Which is ironic since I went shopping today for the holidays. And that is where this post begins.

For a girl that loves clothes, I do not enjoy shopping, particularly during the holidays. We are all at the mall for a similar goal- to find things for the people we love while sneaking in a few gifts for ourselves. So why are people psychotic during this time of the year? I’m sure there is a sociological study on the behavior of people during the holiday season. You have:

1. The slow walkers. The people that block off an entire walking area. They are usually looking confused and/or lost.

2. The teenager. They are probably not buying anything, but they are definitely getting in the way. They tend to get more feisty around the holiday season. Watch out.

3. The bratty kid. Dragged there by their parents, they are bored and exhausted. They are surrounded by toys and presents at every corner, but mom is not budging. this is not for you. Get ready for a tantrum.

4. The dragged around significant other. Similar to the bratty kid in that they do not want to be there. They are usually found looking for somewhere to sit. They are miserable.

5. The energetic soccer mom. Enough said.

So, today as I encountered all of these people, I began to really think about the meaning of the holidays. I always believed they were about spending time with family- in fact, gifts were never the most important part in my house. I’m not anti-gift, I actually love giving gifts. It’s a time to give something that a person may not buy themselves, but will adore and appreciate. The holidays, when it comes down to it, are about love. So, why is it that we focus solely on the gifts?

And now even Thanksgiving is being eradicated (Huffpo: stores open on Thanksgiving). So my friends, this year, buy gifts, be a crazy person in the mall, help the American economy, but please, please, please, do not forget the intent of these holidays.

I’m off to yoga to decompress. In my new lululemon shirt. Which was a gift. And I love it.

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