Driving home, I saw a giant inflatable snowman in someone's yard, and white lights in the shape of reindeer. I would like to extend my middle finger to everyone who continues to extend and commodify the "holiday" season. I would say Christmas, as that's the tradition I was raised in, but it's getting worse across the board.
Fuck you to whoever started playing muzak the day after Halloween. No, it's not Beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, it's beginning to feel a lot like you're trying to sell me something. Fuck you to Walgreens, et al, who can't wait to start putting assorted tinsel out. Fuck you to everyone who contributes to greed as the spirit of Christmas, and continues the holiday sprawl.
In honor of you all, I will be making all my gifts this year. That, or making memories by sharing experiences. I'm not going to spend any money on Buy Nothing Day -- the day after Thanksgiving. I'm going to spend time with my family and friends. I'm going to bake cookies, make dinner, enjoy a fireplace, and use the holiday decorations passed down in the family instead of buying new ones. I'm going to light candles in my windows instead of putting up Icicle lights, or whatever the new fucking fad is.
Am I righteous about all this? A little. No, a lot.
I'm more indignant at the appearance of tradition, and seeing trees out on the street on Christmas day once the sun goes down. I see that as, "Well, I got my gifts, Christmas is now over. Let's start making plans to drink on New Year's Eve!!" The Twelve days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and the feast of the Epiphany. This is when I'll be putting up my tree, as is the tradition in my family. And that's what it should be about tradition, not commidification.
I'm sorry I'm so negative. I promise to buck up before the real holiday season. I do love Christmas. I love spending time with my family. I love listening to my brother play violin at Midnight Mass. I love the other holiday celebrations I'm invited to. I love driving to Lexington [Nebraska] to spend Diwali with the Kumars and their friends. Hell, I love giving gifts.
Just don't try to sell me anything before December.
Or even then.
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