[Grovenet] Hallothanksmas

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Last night it began. Christmas advertising on the "toob" complete with
sleigh bells, tree ornaments and "Santa's Helpers" in little red costumes
hyping the latest and greatest *you must buy this if you love your family*
stuff to go under the tree. 

I remember groaning when the ads started before Thanksgiving. When I was a
kid the Christmas wind-up started sometime during the first two weeks of
December. 

One weekend day in December we'd all bundle in to the family car for the
two-hour, 70 mile trip into pre-freeway Los Angeles where us kids could look
at the fantastic O-gage trains running at Bullock's or Macy's while Mom and
Dad alternately slipped away to do little secret errands. And, of course, we
had to go see Santa sitting in his big gold chair. Traipsing about on a
chilly afternoon we'd all have hot chocolates together and, after all the
errands were run, we'd have a special dinner somewhere on the way back home.


Over time the Friday Thanksgiving became the launch of the buying spree for
Christmas as most people had that day off of work. After all, who wants to
be around family if there's shopping available?  Don't the special people in
our lives, including our children, need presents more than companionship,
gadgets more than memories?

Now the "Christmas Holidays" start in October. 

Bah! Humbug! 

Ron D'Eau Claire