On the street

The mall at Christmas time

We put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. And, since we were on a roll I also decked the house out with all the holiday trimmings: wreaths, spruce swags, seasonal candlescapes and Christmas knick-nacks. I love brightening dull winter weather with festive decorations. Ever since then, though, I've had trouble getting into the holiday spirit.

Maybe it's the lack of snow. But, I also think part of my problem is that I'm still figuring out this whole Christmas thing. I grew up not celebrating holidays. Ocassionally it bothered me, like when kids would bring their Halloween booty to trade at recess or when I would be the only one not talking about a sleepover birthday party. But, our mom made it up to us. We had our own traditions, like going to the movies on Christmas when we'd have the whole theatre to ourselves. And, we got toys as surprises when we weren't expecting it.

I don't feel gypped (well, not most of the time). In fact, as my husband and I scramble to make sure our son has ample presents under the tree, I often think of my childhood when we were blissfully unstressed during the holiday season. I'm not the first one to point out the irony of the annual holiday mad dash to buy presents. Theoretically this time of year is for enjoying friends and family and taking time to reflect on the past year. Instead, we all stress about buying presents for people who are equally stressed about buying presents for us. What's the point?

More than once I've thought it'd be better to do what my mother did and tuck away gifts for a rainy day. In a way, I think presents feel more special when the giver isn't obligated and the receiver is caught unawares. And, I have a hunch that more than a few people at the mall last week would have a agreed.

Midday at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids was busy. With three days until Christmas, shoppers were on a mission. Very few agreed to take the time to talk with me about when they first realized Santa wasn't real. I'm totally guessing here, but maybe part of them didn't want to think about it. Maybe ... just maybe they realized how much simpler Christmas was when they thought it was a jolly guy in a big red jumpsuit who granted their wishes.

By this time next we'll all be ringing in a new year. Nicole will be hanging out in the grocery store aisle asking: "What's the best cure for overindulging on New Year's Eve?"

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