Christmas

What can I say?  I guess I'm not the kind of person who's naturally holiday-ready.  While Christmas is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday of the year, in lieu of recent experiences, I'm starting to wonder about its true value.

For one thing, Christmas in general is too oversold nowadays.  It's about getting (want proof?  Watch an AFV Christmas Special), and something about my personal Christmas is ruined when I think about the brats who are crying over not getting what they wanted when their parents spent over 100 dollars in presents for each of them.  And the epidemic isn't restrained to just the kids who are "too young to know better."  The 8+ set is guilty, too!  I mean, they don't even pay for Mom and Dad's gifts, but think they have the power to scrutinize their presents like nobody's business. 

And then we have Santa Claus.  Ha!  More like Scare-Your-Pants-Off Claus.  Miracle on 34th Street framed him perfectly, but modern representations are seriously scary.  (Except Invader Zim.  No, that's just plain truth.)

On a more personal level, we now turn to wish lists.  I tried my best to get out of making one this year, but of course I couldn't completely escape the task and the mental block attached.  All year I see things in stores and wonder if I'll remember them for Christmas or my birthday, and then December or April comes along and I don't.  So, I stare at my computer/sheet of paper with a blank face for 7+ hours, not really knowing what to say but knowing that wish lists are now homework--turning in a blank sheet will earn you an F in holiday shopping.

But all pessimistic opinions aside, I really am looking forward to this Christmas.  There's definitely a lot to appreciate this year, especially looking back on the several times I almost died (no joke). 

Also, out of writer's block, I asked for some very strange things this year.  It'll be interesting to see how my family handles it.