The Christmas Rush

Every year I take a look at my past Christmas posts to see what sentimental side of the fence I should land on. If I was in a negative mood, last year, I’ll try to balance it out with something positive, this year.

However, sometimes, I write positive even though I feel negative. The thought being, maybe I can write myself out of the negativity.

So, figuring it all out is a crap shoot.

Which, I suppose, is hardly in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

But sometimes it’s just cool to write “crap”, whenever the opportunity presents itself...holiday season or not.

Although, some people might say….

In any case, I’ve decided to go positive, this year.

And no…not in a “I’m positive Christmas is going to su—make me crazy…again…this year!” kind of way.  

It’s all full speed ahead, holiday cheer, ho ho ho, jingle jingle all the way.


Boughs of Holly, Sugar Plums dancing, Mistletoe hanging, Toddies imbibing and logs on the fire...George Baily's got nothing on me!

I’m all in.

Except for….

No…not gonna go there.  Not this year!

Perry Como, Andy Williams, Charlie Brown, Nat King Cole…

Even with all the hub bub, dashing through the snow…oh what fun is to sing a sleighing song tonight!

But a lot of people are in a bit of a hurry.

I guess they don’t have my positive, no pressure Christmas attitude.

There’s such a rush towards Christmas.

Especially in a year when Thanksgiving comes sooooo late in November.

Short holiday turn-arounds tend to put folks into a panic getting all their holiday decorating and traditions underway. They’re untangling lights and unpacking ornaments even before Uncle Henry has finished carving the turkey.

Next door neighbors are out blowing up their inflatable snowmen and whathaveyous long before Santa turns the corner onto 34^th street.

Houses require decorating, inside and out. Parties need to be planned, menus must be decided. Christmas carol play lists must be created. Holiday outings scheduled and fulfilled.

Old Aunt Lucy’s not gonna strap those elf ears on by herself, anymore.

There’s less than a week now, people…let’s go go go go go….!

Such a rush to get all the things we do done, mostly because we done do the same things we always do, year after year, season after season; so much so, we often miss the magic of all the new things we could be discovering and newly doing, if only we weren’t so focused on the past...doings.

So, rush, rush, rush we go, onward in the snow...right into the great holiday vacuum, resurrecting all those old Christmas ghosts.

Wary is the merrymaker, who dares say, “Whoaaaaaa…slow down there Donner, Dasher, Blitzen et all.  You’ve left Rudolph locked in the barn again!”

Is it really all that important to recreate every Hallmark moment that’s been gifted us over the years?

Aren’t they considered memorable Hallmark moments, because they are so rare and unexpected in the first place?

Would you really want to buy the same or variation of the same Christmas ornament over and over, just because you loved it back in 1985?

Okay…bad example. You would and probably do. That’s how Hallmark can afford to make a thousand Christmas movies every week.

But maybe you get my point, if only just a little.

If we’re running around all those city sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
Is there really a feeling of Christmas In the air?
Do we notice the Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile…or are we too busy looking at our phones, ordering Holiday peperoni sticks for our parties!
And on every street corner…forget those silver bells, because what we actually hear is…“Geez, Louise! Where am I supposed to find a corn cob pipe at the last minute? I’m never gonna get my Frosty Ice Sculpture done in time!”



I know…the usual refrain for such holiday heresy is…“What!  Where’s your Christmas spirit?”

But that’s exactly the point. Where’s the Christmas spirit in rushing through the season just to check off a list of all the “traditions” you think have to be completed before the 25^th.

And then, before you know it, the 25^th comes and goes without your ever enjoying even a measly Christmas cookie crumb of it. Not to mention all the post-holiday regrets you start wallowing in over all the things you weren’t able to accomplish.

“Hey, we never put the Laxative in Grandpa’s eggnog!”

So why not take it as it comes. Believe me, all those well-worn traditions will still find a way to drop down your chimney; at least the ones that really count.

And the ones that don’t…well, I’ll bet, as sure as the Grinch is green, you won’t miss them. They might even make room for something you’ll enjoy even more.

Why not follow my lead and enjoy the season, for the season...this season

I’m not making myself crazy over all the things I think I should be doing but just don’t seem to have the time or inclination…at least this year.

I mean, that whole gift giving thing has gotten kind of tired, hasn’t it?

And so, it’s been said, many times many ways…it’s better to receive than to give.

Or something like that.

Who can remember with all the lights I still have to hang down the chimney with care?

And locating 8 tiny reindeer isn’t as easy as it used to be…not since all the deregulation.

Don’t even think about getting a good deal on reindeer kibble.

Plus, I have to get my Santa Suit out of the cleaners…I mean, once I put it in the cleaners.

Who knew strawberry eggnog was so hard to get out?

But I’m not worried. I’ll get it all done, one way or another.

I told you…everything is Christmas positive this year.

Besides, when it really comes down to it…there’s always next year.

Ho Ho Ho…Jingle jingle all the way!

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Thanks to everyone who's already picked up a copy of "The Little Red Christmas Ball"! 

I'm happy to say, a lot of folks have taken to it's fun Christmassy message and shared it with family and friends.

Join the adventure and “The Little Red Christmas Ball” will shine bright and hold tight as your family’s new holiday tradition, this year...and every year to come...

Thanks, again....

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