Holy crap. I opened up my newspaper this morning, and two--TWO--special toybook inserts fell out. One was from Toys R Us, and one was from Target. (How could you, Target, my new fashion BFF?) It's only November 3rd! I don't know about you, but it all feels terribly bossy to me. And if there is one thing to which I do not take kindly, that is being bossed.
As part of my antidote to this kind of amping-up of Christmas by consumerist retail outlets, I have made a solemn pledge that my own children still follow to this day, and I now pass on to you. Do not play Christmas Music until December 1st. Oh, sure--you're going to hear it in stores now. Your radio station is going to sneak a few in here and there, forcing you to change the channel. But take it from me: If you wait until December 1st, you won't be so sick of it. You won't find it so tiresome. The sound of it won't make you feel resentful and angry. "Deck the halls" won't make you want to deck the kid bagging your Big Mac. One of the most pleasant things in Life is having something to look forward to, no matter how small or trivial. So hold off on "O Holy Night" until the first of December, and usher in a True Christmas Season with joy.
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My brother's birthday is December 6th, so growing up, there could be NO CHRISTMAS until December 7th. Of course, that wasn't so crazy then.
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes wait until the 7th, sometimes until the 1st, sometimes Thanksgiving weekend. But never before the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
Personally, I'm a traditionalist, and enjoy the religious songs most (funny, since I'm atheist), followed by a little "Charlie Brown Christmas" and perhaps some Ira Stein/Russel Wilder. "Santa Baby" and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" can kiss my butt.
J@jj--Same here. Jared and I did a post about Christmas music (or maybe I did one by myself) over at our blog "Stuff On Our List." I generally hate novelty Christmas songs. I'm very much a traditionalist as well. I complain bitterly over there about the Carpenters' song "Merry Christmas Darling"--so boring!--and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"--so ubiquitous!
ReplyDeleteSince we often travel to NC for Thanksgiving I usually put a Christmas music playlist on our mp3 player for the drive home. But in recent years Mike hasn't really wanted to THINK about Christmas until about December 20th. And since I only ever listen to audio books when I'm alone in the car I don't really listen to Christmas music much anymore. Which makes me sad because I LOVE to sing.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm making a pledge to myself - for the week before I take off work for Christmas I'm going to listen to music in the car instead of a book. Even if it does turn me into the Road Rage Driver from Hell. Ha!
Bug--Have you ever listened to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas music? It's the only Christmas music that my husband will listen to "on purpose."
ReplyDeleteHe has a lot of really bad associations with the holiday, and it's a tough time for him. But TSO's first Christmas album has made him less of a Grinch.
I really love James Taylor's Christmas album. His voice is so pure and gentle.
Oh yes - love Tran-Siberian. And James Taylor. And about a million others - ha! Amy Grant, Barbra Streisand, Roger Whitaker, Jewel (of all people!), oh and The Chieftans Christmas album - so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAnother reasonable tip. I'm for it!
ReplyDeleteShirley