Quite a few years ago, a small girl, Virginia O’Hanlon by name, wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper which in her mind was a final and irrefutable authority to ask if there really was a Santa Claus. Francis Church, in a veteran newsman’s response, which has since become a classic and traditional part of every Christmas, assured Virginia that yes, indeed, there was a Santa Claus.
Lately, I am feeling that like Virginia, I need re-assurance that the special meaning and spirit of Christmas is still alive and well in America. I worry that it is being trampled by merchants and consumers alike, so anxious on one hand to make money; and on the other, to secure a “bargain” on the biggest plasma television or the latest electronic gadget, buyers will stand in long lines at 5 a.m. One store even put up barricades to be sure crowds were controlled so that nobody would get hurt.
I thought in today’s precarious economy, more people would resort to smaller, simpler gifts. Instead, it seems shoppers still want to load up their carts to overflowing with an excess of items; they just want all the usual stuff at rock bottom prices, and they are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to achieve that goal.
Now, some of you are going to compare me to Scrooge, but it is precisely because I cherish the kind of Christmas that existed when Virginia wrote that letter, that I would like to offer the following thoughts and suggestions:
What’s wrong with Christmas?
First, it comes too early. We’ve barely recovered from Halloween and Thanksgiving. Since Christmas trees, mistletoe, candles, carols and gift-giving are all of pagan origin anyway, couldn’t we move all of those features and have a holiday when we most need it ... in perhaps, late January or early February and have a very simple but meaningful remembrance of the birth of Christ on his birthday?
Also, at any time, 12 days of Christmas would be enough. I could enjoy Christmas more if I didn’t have to see and hear so much about it, beforehand; especially certain songs like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” While I would prefer less time leading up to Christmas, I also think we should adopt a page from the Hanukkah celebration and have it last for, at least, several days. All that preparation for just one day makes it almost anticlimactic.
Secondly, could we do away with some of the old, worn out Christmas movies and their equally bad re-do’s? I would also ban those big, inflatable snowmen or Disney’s seven dwarfs on front lawns and rooftops. Could we all please settle for a few candles shining in the windows and one simple tree and wreath?
Third, I’m pretty sure little Virginia would have been thrilled with just one special gift under her tree. Today’s children ask, “What did you get?” when the question should be, “What did you give?” We need to think outside the gift box and discover the pleasure to be had in the careful planning and selecting of just the right gift for someone. A gift should show thought and an understanding of the singular individual it is chosen for and thus give pleasure to both the giver and the recipient.
Fourth, for many Americans, Christmas has become a financial burden. A large percent of the population is still paying off Christmas credit card debt from 2008.
We are confusing quantity with quality. Let’s do away with Black Friday and Cyber Monday and opt for the simpler, more carefully chosen or hand-made gift. And since staying in touch with faraway friends is an important part of the holiday, could we junk the junk mail and instead have a low-cost stamp just for the holidays?
Lastly, while I am still wishfully thinking, Santa dear, a sprinkling of snow on Christmas Eve always creates a special magic and is a reminder that like each and every snowflake, each and every one of us is unique and special. And if that isn’t magical, I don’t know what is.
0 Responses:
Post a Comment