Attention, holiday shoppers, we are now at those critical hours. It's December 24th and that means there are only mere HOURS of shopping time left. Better get a move on, you procrastinators!
Having been in France throughout most of the pandemonium that is the commercialized American holiday shopping season, and having done my own Christmas shopping in Paris and London, I think in some ways this Christmas may be one of my least stressful ever. I've only had three days of Christmas carols instead of 30 days, so I'm enjoying hearing them and singing along in my car. I wasn't even overwhelmed by trying to find a parking space at my local supermarket today; it wasn't fun circling around for 15 minutes but I took it in stride.
Not being swept up in the usual American frenzy this time of year has made it possible for me to jump right into the last-minute preparations with a pretty good attitude. I ran all kinds of errands today, and then spent approximately 5 hours wrapping gifts; first my own gifts that I brought from Paris, and then helping my Mom wrap some of her bulkier items. To make the job go faster, we watched classic Christmas movies like "It's a Wonderful Life"; it's hard not to smile at Jimmy Stewart running down a snowy street screaming "Merry Christmas, Movie House!"
And one of my favorite parts of being home at Christmas is the way Americans decorate their homes with all the lights. It's way too much and a collosal waste of electricity, but it's so pretty to see entire neighborhoods with the halls decked. Fa la la la la la la la LA.
I saw a few apartments in Paris with lights in the windows or on the balconies, but nothing (excepting, of course, the Champs Elysees, which looked incredible with all the trees swathed in white lights) could compete with how over-the-top or badly decorated some people's homes are here in my corner of NJ. I can't decide which I like more: seeing a gorgeous Victorian home, tastefully decorated with lighted candles in the windows, and traditional greenery with red velvet bows; or the gaudy, headache-making flashing displays with the giant inflatable Grinches, Mickey Mouses, and Tiggers next to the giant inflatable revolving snow globes. Sometimes the tacky displays are the most fun because it boggles the mind how little taste some people seem to have, even in what are considered "better neighborhoods". Of course, bad taste isn't only found in America; we now have proof that tacky decor exists even in France.
I will be spending Christmas (eve and day) with my mother, my sister and brother-in-law, my niece and nephew, and my brother-in-law's brother and his girlfriend, plus one or two dogs. A few of our extended family are staying at their homes out of state this year so we're a smaller group than usual, but we'll have a great time nonetheless. We're doing all the festivities at my sister's home and I can't wait to see her house all decorated, as she has marvelous taste -- and an 11-foot tall Christmas tree!
So as we move into the final crunch, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas -- and the patience to put up with your crazy uncle who insists on playing that stupid barking dog Jingle Bell song every single year, or your sister-in-law who always brings an inedible burnt casserole for Christmas dinner. Take it in stride and enjoy the day for what it is: a time to rejoice and celebrate peace and love in its highest form.
And to our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, or those who are stationed anywhere other than home with their families this Christmas, I wish you a safe and swift homecoming. "Peace on earth, good will towards men" was never needed more in our world than right now.
