Something has come over me. I am awash in feelings that seem out of place. For some reason, this feeling has been lingering over me for about a week now. It’s not quite Thanksgiving at the writing of this article, but I have this almost overwhelming urge to watch Christmas movies and more importantly, listen to Christmas music! What the heck is going on here! It seems there are several factors at work here:
First, the amount of Christmas already displayed in commercial America. The stores already started putting Christmas stuff out before Halloween. Decorations, ornaments, DIY at the hobby stores all contributed to the early release of the Christmas season. Slowly the Meijer, Target and Wal-Mart stores infiltrated the seasonal sections with inflatable lawn decorations, artificial trees and mechanical deer. The psychological onslaught had begun.
Secondly, the subliminal attack on the rest of the senses began. The seasonal potpourris, candles and air fresheners waft their scent through these stores. Then, unbeknownst to the casual shopper, innocently picking up some groceries, quietly but clearly, Christmas music could be heard gently floating through the air, attacking the ears in a passive aggressive posture. Gift wrapping, holiday cards Christmas themed books begin to line the media sections of these stores, planting the seed in the subconscious.
Lastly, the early snow storm and “polar vortex” like temperatures pushed the idea of advanced season affect onto the people of this region. Watching the snow falling and coating the ground, seeing the wind pick up and blow the snow into drifts and needing to “warm-up” the car before leaving the house really gets the imagination of Christmas roiling in my memories of childhood.
This is the essence of Christmas. The recollection of what Andy Williams sang about, the most wonderful time of year, the season kids live for every year. The anticipation of toys and games, family gatherings, meals, parties and all the treats my mom used to make. It’s warm and comfortable and returns me to the simpler times of growing up, without the constraints of jobs, taxes, divisive politics, and volatile religious idealism. Take me back to the 1970’s please?
