A friend of mine shared an event on Facebook last Friday — for Christmas at Silo Square, which would be bringing Santa to Southaven. “I’m sorry, but Santa needs to wait until December to leave the North Pole,” I commented, then added the cry-laugh emoji for good measure. I was half-kidding, of course, although I’m not sure last weekend’s climate was suitable for St. Nick, him being accustomed to the sub-zero temps and mountains of snow in his hometown and all. I reckon he survived though since I didn’t hear anything about an untimely demise.
But I have heard lots of whining about Christmas coming too early. As soon as Halloween was over, folks were hauling their trees and ornaments and colored lights down from their dusty attics, turning their homes into makeshift winter wonderlands. Before the spiderwebs and cauldrons were even carted out of Target, the aisles were dutifully lined with snowflakes and garlands, and Mariah Carey’s infamous tune arose from its seasonal slumber.
Maybe the complainers are half-kidding, too. Because does it really bother them that much that others find delight in decking the halls of their own houses? Or that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” now floats into their ears as they meander through Walgreens? The playlist there isn’t exactly on anyone’s top 10 throughout the rest of the year. Or maybe it is.
Point is that if someone else finds a little joy in hanging stockings in November, let them have it. It’s dark at 5 p.m., winter temperatures hit us like a surprise backhand overnight, it’s gray and gloomy, and everything outside is dying. Not to mention the less-than-stellar economy, higher-than-ever housing costs, political tug-of-war, environmental turmoil, and, you know, the big stuff that can cause tons of stress if we let it. Lawmakers can’t seem to quit meddling with our rights and the freedom to make our own decisions, yet we’re grizzled about Christmas.
I’m not rushing to put up a tree. I probably won’t even bother. Putting all that stuff up means later taking it down, and I’d rather not add more things to my to-do list. But if the holidays give someone out there the warm fuzzies, and curling up with a hot cup of cocoa in their Frosty the Snowman PJs under the glow of string lights brings a little peace, good for them! There is so much division in this world, the matter of holiday decor should be at the bottom of the debate list.
All this to say, maybe it’s not so much about snow globes and wreaths as it is that people need something to fuss about. If it’s not politics, it’s sports or religion or which rich guy is the bigger piece of shit. I don’t make it a practice to let these types of things get to me, or even get in the middle of them too much — at least not out loud. It’s not worth the elevated blood pressure. And I learned at the family Thanksgiving table long ago that not all such conversations end amicably. There’s that whole “If you don’t have anything nice to say” adage that probably fits here. Unless you just enjoy arguing.
I’m not pushing “toxic positivity” either. I’m simply saying that if someone else’s opinion, lifestyle, or personal choices don’t affect you whatsoever — and much of the time, they don’t — let them be. If faith or cheesy Hallmark movies or plastic trees provide comfort for you, go for it. We’ll never all agree on everything, to be sure. But one thing we can agree on is that we’re here now trying to get through life, each with our own struggles, emotions, and daily minutiae.
It’s good to have something to look forward to, even if that something is a lighted tree. Those are the kinds of things that bring little joys. And there’s no sense in fussing over that.