Today is November 4th. A what I would consider great Halloween weekend is not too far off in the rear view mirror, the rock salt bins have been put in the parking lot of my work, and the weather is getting into that gray late fall "pre-winter" period. All of this used to mean that I, Derek Self, would start to get irrationally angry that Christmas stuff was here for the next two months.
"IT'S TOO EARLY!" I would say, while probably drinking coffee out of a holiday themed cup.
"CAN'T THEY WAIT UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING!?!"
But, in the last year or so, I have come to realize that I'm ready for Christmas by mid October. That was troubling to me at first. I don't want to be one of those weirdos who decorates their house November 1st, and doesn't take it down until February. But after months of getting mad at my neighbors for doing that very thing, I realized that wasn't the case. I don't really expect large gifts from anyone, and I have no significant other to celebrate with. So what is it? Why do I like it so much now? Then it hit me:
MY FAMILY*
It's one of those things that dawns on you as you get older. The emotional comfort I get from Christmas is directly related to how great it was for me growing up. I've come to realize that every Christmas I have celebrated in my 28 years as a human being has been a beautiful middle class day dream, that I wouldn't trade for anything. Each December 25th of my life has been a slice of Americana. With roasts, and pies and as the years went on, a lot of booze. It's the one day a year I know I am going to be totally relaxed (at least while single and childless) and in good company. This year will be a little rough, as it's the first year we're going to celebrate after the passing of my beloved grandma. But I know it'll be OK because I'll have my family.
Aside from realizing how great my family has made the holidays for me, there is another reason I have regained a love for Christmas: I am several years removed from working a retail job. If you want to hate Christmas with the power of a thousand Scrooge's, work a retail job. I worked at a hardware mega store, and even that was terrible. I can't imagine what it would be like to work in a mall from October to January. Christmas music was RUINED for me. Being forced to listen to "Holly Jolly Christmas" on loop is something they probably used to do in Guantanamo. But, now that I'm not forced, love the stuff.
So, from early November until about the first week of January, I will be mainlining holiday cheer and watching classic 90's Christmas commercials on YouTube. Hell, I might even buy a tree this year. If only to sit around it and think on how much I appreciate my family and all the great Christmas memories they've given me. That's not to say I won't get completely sick of Christmas commercials by January 10th, and threaten to punch Michael Bolton through my TV. But I'm going to enjoy it while it's appropriate.
*When I say family, that includes my friends. Who are as much family as anyone I share a bloodline with
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