Christmas

I really think it is sad that some places don't allow "Christmas" to be used as a word at this special time of year. Happy Holidays just doesn't cut it for me. Merry Christmas, or the English "Happy Christmas" says it all. Christmas is a time of year to be grateful AND happy. There's some special feeling in the air that has nothing to do with Santa. It's almost palpable. And non-Christians should just deal with it. We Canadians are, for the most part, entirely tolerant of others' beliefs.

From the crowded malls and harried shoppers, to the little kids I hear in my store crying because they don't know why their friend is getting that particular thing and they can't have one... and who is Santa anyways? Something is missing; particularly when I hear how most parents speak at this time of year when they are rushed and stressed and the poor kids don't know what the heck is going on nor understand why.

Why does Christmas have to mean over-eating, over-indulging, over-spending, keeping up with the neighbors? Why did the mall Santa's never impress me as a child? How many little kids really think that they're with Santa when Santas are allover? They probably don't. But give them that to hang onto.... it's a small thing that could be so much more.

Christmas shouldn't be gifts given to children because their friends are getting them. Advertising sucks all year long but at Christmas, it makes me gag. There's the guilt advertising that absolutely kills me. You know commercials that would have you believe that you will not be loved, valued nor appreciated should you neglect to provide blah blah blah as a gift to your lover, spouse, child...

Christmas should be about wood fireplaces, a tree, carols, stockings, hot chocolate, snow outside, Church, family, a good meal, a big star in the sky and Jesus. That's all Christmas should be about.