Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Into the Void: Christmas: Bah, Humbug

Once again Christmas has rolled around.

It's a time of giving and receiving.

But what exactly is being given and received? For the most part the only giving and getting has to do with material things junk. Yes, in some cases rather expensive junk, but junk nonetheless.

And why has the holiday, once held as supremely holy, become nothing more than just another gimmick for public relation firms and advertising agencies?

Whatever happened to the true meaning of the day, or the alleged meaning of the day?

When someone can find an answer besides greed in the 20th century, please let the rest of us know.

But now, as we begin the countdown to Y2K and its uncertainties, the malls and stores are filled with holiday shoppers. People going about, taking time out of their days to spend money they can ill afford, in many cases, to make other people "happy" with the gifts they get for "Christmas."

The way people crowd into the stores is reminiscent of how young people used to "pack phone booths" to see how many could be squeezed in.

Sardines in their tins have more room than most shoppers.

And what are the shoppers looking for? Of course, the toy de jour. What's hot at this particular moment in time, though by the time Christmas arrives it could be unpopular, must be purchased for the children on the list.

Then there are the clothes for teens. Not just any clothes mind you, but ones with someone's name splattered all over them.

By wearing these clothes, the teens seem to think it tells the world how cool and with it they are, while the truth is more mundane. All that's accomplished by wearing this stuff is the "creator" is making big bucks from the sale and getting mucho free advertising.

Now we get back to this, what's the point of going out and spending all this money on stuff to be forgotten or broken by New Year's Day in many cases?

Why not start giving something important for Christmas, something with real meaning, something you can't find in a store?

What could this be, you ask? It's very simple, almost too simple. Give from the heart, not the wallet. Give the gift of time and good cheer.

Write your significant other a poem letting her, him or them know how you really feel.

For those with children, talk to them, get to know who they are as people, not just as your children. Find out what they really think and feel.

Then go out and make something with your own hands for them. Do the best job possible, as all of us aren't master builders and craftsmen, but do it from the heart.

Take the family out walking around the neighborhood to look at the different displays.

Go caroling together, making stops at the homes of the elderly, who will appreciate the effort and enjoy being remembered during the holidays.

Give one another coupons for "favors," such as one free car wash, a yard raking or dish washing.

Mom and dad can give each other more adult coupons for a back rub and visit by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate, if they are so inclined.

None of this requires an advanced degree in quantum physics. In fact, it's all quite simple and easy.

By doing any of the aforementioned suggestions, this could well be one of the most memorable and stress free Christmas seasons in a long time.