Random Christmas Thought

To me Christmas becomes more of a hassle each year. And each year I bitch about consumerism, materialism, failing U.S. fiscal policy being supported by greed and anything else that I can blame on Christmas (Yes, a Scrooge-like anger is central to my being).

This year is no different. In November, my wife and I decided that wasting money buying crappy trinkets is pointless, and that the meaning of December 25th is no longer about family or religion or cookies, but money. We as consumers, friends, family, coworkers, etc... have been conditioned to jump into the air and buy anything during the winter shopping season. Many of us fear that plaque of judgment that will be cast on us for not buying the most expensive or desirable gift. We run around in a panic, sitting in traffic, waiting in line, hoping that we can grab the lasted and greatest before our fellow man.

I do have a point here; it is our social conditioning. As I mentioned, this Christmas was supposed to be the one where no one received anything but a kind smile and a 15 second lecture on why Christmas is the devil. However, its grasp is too deep. As the day gets closer and more stories are related about friends buying, and children crying, my wife and I slowly cave to the pressure. "Oh, what about little Taco and Siouxsie? "They are kids and have a belief in Christmas that fuels their fantasy." "Dammit," I thought because this point is valid.

Here I sit complaining about Christmas and feeling the pressure to produce much like an awkward teenage love fest in the back of a mini van.

So I say to you all, "Go out and buy everything, and work 200 hrs of overtime to pay off that credit card, Yeah, it will be merry in June too!"

Blah!