Recently, Nordstrom stores made a statement about not putting up their holiday decorations before Thanksgiving. I applaud them greatly for this decision because quite honestly, this world has got a sad case of the Christmas crazies. Now don’t get me wrong, on Black Friday, long before the crack of dawn I am up and ready to sing Christmas carols in a Santa hat while filling the house with the sweet smell of Christmas cookies. But to make Christmas a year round event? And to make its intensity start to emerge, forget before Thanksgiving, I’ve seen it come out before Halloween. Now this is insanity. While I am huge fan of the holiday season, my personal favorite holiday has always been Halloween. Now imagine my disappointment, nay: fury when I walked into Michaels and discovered that the Christmas decorations were already out, just behind the Halloween decorations, practically shoving the witches and goblins closer to their day of reckoning. Halloween’s essence lies in its horror and eeriness, but when you hold a ghost up to a snowman, it’s hard to tell the difference.
Anyways, colligiettes, we have now made our way past Halloween and somehow managed not to lose the spirit in the Christmas whirlpool. But now we’ve entered November and do you know something crazy? My roommates actually suggested that we put up a tree. Can you believe that? A Christmas tree before Thanksgiving! This is when I put my foot down. It’s rare to find someone whose favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, it is far more humble than the two that encircle it, but it is also incredibly important. Historically it was a peaceful feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians following a bountiful harvest, but today it’s celebrated as the day to be thankful for family, friends, a home, an education, freedom, etc. It’s the day for us to reflect on our lives and to toast to our friends and families, but unfortunately, it has begun to lose that essence.
Today Thanksgiving is the time that we exchange Christmas lists and plans for the blowout sales on Black Friday in order to buy our loved ones good gifts for cheap prices. The stores are decked out in tinsel and holly and paper mĂĄchĂ© snowflakes far before the real snowflakes begin to fall. And now with this whole controversy over Starbucks and their red cups, no, it must stop. Christmas is a magical time filled with joy and love, but the over commercialization of the holiday season is draining it of its essence. While it is important to carry the Christmas spirit of kindness and charity and happiness in our hearts every day, we can do so without the help giant red bows and Christmas wreaths. So this year, let’s try to cool it with the Christmas craze, and celebrate one holiday at a time, please. And in your excessive need to celebrate charity and joy, don’t forget to be thankful for the things you already have.Â