Does it bug you when stores release Christmas stuff way before the Christmas season, even before Thanksgiving? If so, you're much like my wife Angie. If someone sends me an ad or a sales pitch for some special Christmas gift, I respect their need to do so, and, especially in a poor economy, their need to get a jump on Christmas sales when those sales may be the largest percent of their annual volume. That doesn't mean I like it, it just means that I understand it. Nevertheless when my wife Angie gets one of those ads, her usual response is to post it on the refrigerator door with one of those little rubberized magnets, as a reminder not to buy a Christmas gift from them. That may seem a little harsh, but here's what she said to me.
"Shopping seems to be the only thing we think about at Christmas these days. Shopping is necessary, and is a big part of Christmas, but it shouldn't be the main part. We should be thinking more about the giving than the shopping. Retailers should think some about that too. If they come out with all their Christmas stuff two months before Christmas, Santa stations with elves set up, long lines of children waiting to tell Santa all they want for Christmas, with all the bump and tug, it puts too much emphasis on buying and selling.
"We draw names and buy Christmas gifts, not just for the kids, but for everyone, presents are wrapped, stockings are hung, all this hustle and bustle and commercialization of the season are far removed from the simple idea of being together as a family or with friends just to count our blessings. This entire obsession with trees, and presents, and Santa Claus can obscure the marvelous truth in each person's heart, the gifts of spirit, sharing and warmth. Currently, it's little more than beggars beg and spenders spend, drinkers drink and vendors vend, or something like that-however that ancient rhyme goes.
"Worse yet is the day after Christmas when there's even more shopping. Virtually every store has an after Christmas sale and shoppers charge into those stores redeeming Christmas gift certificates, exchanging, more likely returning, many of the Christmas gifts sent to them by people who really didn't know what they wanted or didn't have the time or money to get what they wanted. Imagine how refreshing it would be to take away this emphasis on Christmas shopping and concentrate on the truth of what Christmas really is. We could then add Christmas gift giving based on true feeling that grows out of God's gift. I know you agree with me Walker, don't you?"
I didn't answer. I can understand my wife Angie's point of view, and I've learned not to argue a point about which she feels strongly, or any other point come to think of it. Having said that, I see no harm in offering advice to people like me who sometimes neglect Christmas gift shopping until Christmas Eve. It's just a reminder, it's not like we're being sold anything, at least not at that time. We all know that stores must sell Christmas trees, lights, ornaments and other Christmas stuff-if they would just not begin the process until after Thanksgiving dinner is served.
But ask yourself, where would we be if businesses who sell Christmas gifts had to wait until a specified time to begin to sell those gifts? They sell most of this stuff throughout the year, not just at Christmas time. People buy this stuff every day for one reason or another. What's wrong with a little reminder now and then? I see their point, and I don't mind it. My wife Angie though, she'll head for the refrigerator door like lightning when a Christmas ad, er reminder, comes in the mail. As for me I've been known to sneak over there from time to time to get a reminder about a Christmas gift I need to buy.
When I decided not to argue with my wife Angie's point of view, I also found it a good practice to apologize in advance if I don't agree with everything she says. And I know she is going to see this. So here I am, disagreeing and apologizing at the same time. My only hope is that I get forgiveness for one or the other, not to mention both.
You can get more information about Christmas banjos here, or you can visit Walker Hayes at papasboxes.com to help get more ideas of your own.
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