The first weekend in December is always the weekend when my wife and I kick off our Christmas. The tree goes up, the lights go up, the music goes on and all of that. We spend a great portion of the day decorating and watching great Christmas movies like Love Actually. I don't like starting Christmas before December. Four weeks of holiday cheer is fine, a fiscal quarter is a bit much.
I think that we've found a pretty good formula for actually enjoying Christmas. And just a side note here...to me it's Christmas, not "The Holidays" or "The Holiday Season" or "The Festive Season", or "Festivus for the rest of us" or any of that. To me Christmas is both a religious and secular holiday. Enjoy it whichever way you choose. Baby Jesus or Santa and Rudolph. Or both. Your choice. But Christmas is an established part of our culture that we should protect and embrace, not water down in the name of inclusion. I have always believed in tolerance, but I also believe in adapting to the place you've relocated to, not the other way around. And if you're offended by Santa or Baby Jesus, you're a moron. Please advance straight to hell, do not pass "Go", do not collect $200.
Here are some keys to enjoying your Christmas:
1) Do your Christmas shopping early.
Nothing will ruin your Christmas like a shopping mall. The pressure to finish shopping when you've left it too late brings out the worst in people, which is the opposite of the spirit of Christmas. Crowded stores, packed parking lots, and awful people do not represent Christmas to me.
2) Don't listen to the naysayers.
I love Christmas. I love the fact that Christmas is commercialized. This doesn't represent greed, it represents giving and generosity. Sure, loads of dollars get spent, but it's all on other people. I think that's great. A whole season based around giving gifts to each other. What the hell is wrong with that?
3) Don't overexpose yourself to Christmas music.
There is some great Christmas music out there. But there must be only about 20-30 standard songs that get done over and over. I love certain songs and certain versions. But too much can leave a saccharine taste in my mouth.
4) Give to charity.
Christmas is about giving and forgiveness. There's also a nice undertone of accountability that many miss. We're all in this together. Help somebody out this Christmas. Give to a local shelter, or to the Humane Society, or a children's hospital. All of this adds up and that matters. I have found that it always makes me feel very good to help people. Some things are too harsh to stomach, but I can always give my money, and I do.
5) Take care of yourself.
For the love of yourself...take a break at Christmas. Look after yourself. Don't let others over plan you, don't let others bully you into doing what they want. Take some "me" time. Christmas for so many is just not relaxing or refreshing. That's sad, since it's a big holiday. Having family always complicates matters, but plan things out in advance. Don't make things hard on yourself. Ask for help if you need it and accept it if it's offered. Get some sleep, get some sex, get some exercise, and don't over-eat. Avoid the guilt.
Have a great Christmas season everybody. Be good to each other, and don't be a downer. Thanks for visiting The World According to Jay.
But that's just the way I see it.
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