Just as we take the last bite of our king size Snicker bars, and put the pumpkin carving knives away, we begin to hear the subtle sounds of jingle bells. As the door closes and the last trick-or-treater is on their way, we as controlled and obsessed consumers are pressured into wearing red and decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween.
Um hello, the pilgrims are totally offended. After all, we completely disregard the fact that Thanksgiving does come before Christmas.
Turkey and stuffing are the staple of the American heritage, yet we only honor the over eating and over indulging day for a short time. The leftovers are not even in tupperware as we quickly run to line up at malls and outlets for Black Friday sales.
As we run to the stores at 5:00 am with mashed potatoes barely digested and dessert slowly coming up our throats, we are hypnotized by the idea of completing all holiday shopping in one single hyped day.
And as we rest our feet later that day, we then rush to storage or the attic to gather the lights, Christmas tree, garland and wreaths.
Pathetic, right? But most of our families are extreme victims of the holiday frenzy disease. Why has it become acceptable to rush through holidays and not cherish the memories and significance of culture and history?
I am completely convinced that stores are out to get us. Between the misleading coupons, outlandish decorations, luring signs and addictively joyful music, we have been whipped into spending our money in a rather exhausting and manipulative way.
We have all witnessed the years of the sold out Tickle Me Elmo, and the craze over UGG boots, but is that what the holidays are really about? Remembering the hours you stood online hoping a shipment has a size eight in black. Is it really worth all the madness? I certainly don’t think so.
Stores and media have rudely taken away the monumental idea of prolonging holidays and wanting to make them last forever. It is that child-like concept of wanting holidays to never end. But before Santa touches down with his sleigh, another holiday takes over. Make room, because Cupid is here.
So just as the last ginger bread cookie is taken from the plate, and the wrapping paper from Christmas morning is put in the trash, Cupid and his bossy love behavior takes over with cards, flowers and chocolate hearts. We have instantly gone from red and green, to pink and romance. It is an overnight phenomenon of holiday invasion.
Only in America will you be able to hear the “Monster Mash’”and “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, on the radio in the same night. Okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but literally two weeks later we are all humming the “Jingle Bell Rock” like robotic shoppers.
We have barely taken out our winter coats and scarves and yet, in a handful of weeks department stores will be selling bathing suits. This is manic and a true retail crisis.
I want the candy, fog machines, costumes, and skeletons to last. I want the Native Americans and Pilgrims to feel like they mean more than pumpkin pie and gravy. And lastly, I want Santa and his elves to stay a while and not get sent home to the North Pole so quickly.
Valentines Day is coming, but before you think of who you are going to buy a chocolate heart for, take time to open your Christmas presents, drink your eggnog, and cherish your holidays.
PHOTO COURTESY of divavillage.com
