Happy Merry Jolly
If you thought I was crabby about Thanksgiving, put on your seatbelt because here comes Christmas. First there's the overload of parties and obligatory celebrations with too much food, too many people and lots of family drama. Then there's the month-long extravaganza of excess and panic topped off by the capitalist orgy of senseless last-minute spending. Mixed somewhere in there is oh, the birth of Jesus, where the symbolic gifts of frankincense and myrrh have somehow morphed into X-Boxes, drones and UGG boots. Trust me when I tell you that I KNOW it's all well intentioned, but the hollow-eyed frightful march of the downtrodden that I see plodding through the mall is sad and tired and just wants to be put out of it's own misery. And for what? You got it, MORE CRAP.
This Christmas I got into a bit of a row with my old man. My birthday also falls in December and we had just finished having what I thought was a very honest and mature conversation about why it's a mistake to try to buy me clothing. While he's tried many times, it never works and only results in bad acting by me and frustration for both of us. Agreed. Great. So I thought we were on the same page until I noticed a shirt box under our Christmas tree with my name on it. When I asked about this I was accused of taking the "joy" out of Christmas. With pissy frustration he asked me what I really wanted. I said a hand truck.
Naturally this didn't go over well. But the truth is, I didn't say this lightly or with sarcasm. I was quite serious. I mean, how can I write a blog where I tell all of you to pause before you panic-buy, and where I beg all of you to start purging now so your kids don't have to do it when you're gone, and where I preach pragmatism and responsible beauty and self-control, if I don't at least try to live by my own maxims. And so I made the case that I am constantly dragging and moving heavy things and my back often hurts and a good hand truck isn't cheap and would be immensely helpful. I also asked for a cordless screwdriver though that didn't seem to help at all.
Look, here's the deal. I don't want for anything. I have a wonderful, loving husband and son, two adorable cats, and we all live happily and healthfully in a beautiful home. What could I honestly ask for except more of the same? I am lucky, and I don't take it for granted. I do however think that having a joyous Christmas is a good thing and that it's ok to give and get something practical as a gift. Something that you like and need but wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself. So, when asked what I want for Christmas, I think of the many people who don't have even a fraction of what I have and I bow my head in grace and whisper, world peace (which in my opinion, can't come soon enough). When asked what I need, I say Santa Baby, a diamond encrusted hand truck wouldn't suck.
And with that I wish all of you a happy, merry, jolly, joyful, gracious, humble, thoughtful, peaceful, bad-ass holiday!
ADDENDUM: Just look what was under my tree!!! Thank you Santa!
