Just A Thought: ‘Tis the season to be in a rush

While we were out driving the other night, I couldn’t help but notice there seems to be less Christmas lights around homes this year. After talking with a few friends, they agreed there seems to be less spirit in the air.

Could this mean the Christmas spirit is in short supply? With the war going on and the rush, rush, rush attitude in today’s society, I wouldn’t doubt it. How can you get in the spirit of the season when there’s so much on your mind that’s not related to the holidays?

I keep hearing the Christmas season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe for the retail stores. For me, it really doesn’t feel that way. At that time, I’m still trying to figure out what to do with all that leftover food. It takes me a few days before I just start throwing things out because they become questionable. When in doubt, throw it out, that’s my motto.

I feel like the Christmas spirit doesn’t kick in with me until mid-December when the feeling of “I might not be able to make it because time seems to be running out” kicks in. I know that’s not much of a Christmas spirit but what do you expect with two children.

Let’s face it, most of a parent’s holiday spirit is making sure Santa brings the right things and the batteries to go with them. One year Santa forgot the batteries and mom did too. I’ve never forgiven him for that.

Helping that “I’m not going to make it” feeling right along is the Christmas countdown I see every time I go to the store or glance at the front page of the Standard. That really puts it all in perspective. Signs like that just yell at me to hurry up or I won’t make it. A little voice inside me says “You’re waiting until the last minute again.”

I know I’ve just picked on my own editor, James Clark, but what’s a person to do. I know he doesn’t mean to put me in a rush, rush mode but his Christmas countdown has that effect on me. Today, it’s 16 days until Christmas according to the paper.

For retail stores, I think those signs are meant to make you hurry up and purchase something. Let’s face it, the thing retail stores like about the holidays is not the spirit but the amount of money consumers are willing to spend around that time. The more money you spend, the bigger their holiday spirit.

This year, the adults in my family have decided to just give gift cards instead of shopping for one another. That may not be in the Christmas spirit either, but think of all the stress we’re going to save about buying just the right gift. I think that makes up for the Christmas spirit we’ve lost. Just think about it, no matter where the card is from, you know you can get something you’ll like and won’t have to return.

Personally, I hope I get a gas card this year because after the holidays, I’ll probably need it. I noticed this morning that the gas prices are starting to slip back up. Apparently, the gas companies want a green Christmas this year instead of a white one.

For many families, selecting a tree kicks off their holiday spirit. For my family, it’s decorating the Christmas tree and riding around seeing all the lights. I use an artificial tree. I’m really beginning to sound like a Scrooge but I’m not, I have allergies and so does my daughter.

Maybe what we need is a little snow. I’m not talking about a lot of snow. It doesn’t have to stick. Just a little that would make it seem more like Christmas. Every year I wish it would snow on Christmas but most years I’m disappointed. I guess if it snows a lot this Christmas, I’ll be the one to blame.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Hanukah!

Lisa Chapman is a reporter for the Standard. She can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].