Tis the season to be jolly, but of course it's easier for some people, than others. The holidays are a time that happiness is mandatory, and if you're not feeling it, you have to fake it till you make it. I blame Santa Clause for tainting children at a very early age by giving them a false sense that gifts come from a chubby old man who drops out of the sky. Delivering every materialist wish to their door, with no concern of how it is paid for, because they were good little boys and girls. While we're at it, why not eat that extra pound of fudge, because, after all, you have a whole year to take it off. If there is one thing that Christmas isn't, is a time of deprivation. We have all been good this whole year, and we deserve it. If we can't pay for it, well, that is why plastic was invented. Santa hardly ever said no. It was the one day of the year that collectively, was the best day of the year. We never lose that little child in us, who longs for the magic, that comes from believing.
That is why it is sad to see people so desperate to fill their needs this time of year. You have to sell more, buy more, eat more, party more and hopefully, love more. The stores are desperate to get you to buy and you can feel it from the moment you set foot in one. We are so happy to see you and please buy something, as my job, store, dreams are on the line.
I also get bombarded every day with desperate email, begging me to take advantage of a deal, that never existed a few years ago. Used to be we had to wait till the day after Christmas to get a bargain, but now greed has been replaced with survival. Times are hard, and who knows who will still have a job a year from now? Seems everyone is out for the extra buck this year, but by the looks of things, there aren't too many extra bucks floating around. Maybe this is the year to realize that Santa was just a gimmick, and real happiness is an inside job. Presents get broken, returned, forgotten. Memories remain forever. Make yours good ones, I know I am.