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Quite a few years
ago, a small girl, Virginia O’Hanlon by name, wrote
a letter to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper which
in her mind was a final and irrefutable authority to ask
if there really was a Santa Claus. Francis Church, in a
veteran newsman’s response, which has since become
a classic and traditional part of every Christmas, assured
Virginia that yes, indeed, there was a Santa Claus.
Lately, I am feeling that like Virginia, I need re-assurance
that the special meaning and spirit of Christmas is still
alive and well in America. I worry that it is being trampled
by merchants and consumers alike, so anxious on one hand
to make money; and on the other, to secure a “bargain”
on the biggest plasma television or the latest electronic
gadget, buyers will stand in long lines at 5 a.m. One store
even put up barricades to be sure crowds were controlled
so that nobody would get hurt.
I thought in today’s precarious economy, more people
would resort to smaller, simpler gifts. Instead, it seems
shoppers still want to load up their carts to overflowing
with an excess of items; they just want all the usual stuff
at rock bottom prices, and they are willing to go to extraordinary
lengths to achieve that goal.
Now, some of you are going to compare me to Scrooge, but
it is precisely because I cherish the kind of Christmas
that existed when Virginia wrote that letter, that I would
like to offer the following thoughts and suggestions:
What’s wrong with Christmas?
First, it comes too early. We’ve barely recovered
from Halloween and Thanksgiving. Since Christmas trees,
mistletoe, candles, carols and gift-giving are all of pagan
origin anyway, couldn’t we move all of those features
and have a holiday when we most need it ... in perhaps,
late January or early February and have a very simple but
meaningful remembrance of the birth of Christ on his birthday?
Also, at any time, 12 days of Christmas would be enough.
I could enjoy Christmas more if I didn’t have to see
and hear so much about it, beforehand; especially certain
songs like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
While I would prefer less time leading up to Christmas,
I also think we should adopt a page from the Hanukkah celebration
and have it last for, at least, several days. All that preparation
for just one day makes it almost anticlimactic.
Secondly, could we do away with some of the old, worn out
Christmas movies and their equally bad re-do’s? I
would also ban those big, inflatable snowmen or Disney’s
seven dwarfs on front lawns and rooftops. Could we all please
settle for a few candles shining in the windows and one
simple tree and wreath?
Third, I’m pretty sure little Virginia would have
been thrilled with just one special gift under her tree.
Today’s children ask, “What did you get?”
when the question should be, “What did you give?”
We need to think outside the gift box and discover the pleasure
to be had in the careful planning and selecting of just
the right gift for someone. A gift should show thought and
an understanding of the singular individual it is chosen
for and thus give pleasure to both the giver and the recipient.
Fourth, for many Americans, Christmas has become a financial
burden. A large percent of the population is still paying
off Christmas credit card debt from 2008.
We are confusing quantity with quality. Let’s do
away with Black Friday and Cyber Monday and opt for the
simpler, more carefully chosen or hand-made gift. And since
staying in touch with faraway friends is an important part
of the holiday, could we junk the junk mail and instead
have a low-cost stamp just for the holidays?
Lastly, while I am still wishfully thinking, Santa dear,
a sprinkling of snow on Christmas Eve always creates a special
magic and is a reminder that like each and every snowflake,
each and every one of us is unique and special. And if that
isn’t magical, I don’t know what is.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
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