With everyone jumping the gun on Christmas, it’s only appropriate that I stay one step ahead of the curve. But wait, didn’t we skip something in between Halloween and Christmas? Something to do with a turkey dinner and a large gathering of relatives and merriment rings a bell. But I guess I must be mistaken. As soon as the Halloween trick-or-treaters were safely in doors enjoying their candy, the poinsettias, the Christmas music, the plastic Santas and the icicle lights came out of hiding this November.
So, as this month comes to a close, I believe in early December we’ll be hearing nonstop talk about the new year. And I would just love to get my two cents in before everyone is exhausted with talk of the New Year. Wouldn’t it be an absolute travesty if people decided the New Year wasn’t important? From the day after Christmas, homes would be decorated and anxiously waiting for Easter. Nevermind New Years, Presidents Day, St. Patrick’s Day and so on.
It would be awful if society forgot about New Years and everything it stands for. Being thankful for what you have. Hold on, that’s not it. That’s what some other holiday is for. New Years is about celebrating a new calendar of life, setting goals for yourself, turning over new leaves and just an all around new start on a clean slate.
Watching the Macy’s Parade has become an iconic tradition on December 31. Families across the nation gather together and watch this televised spectacle every year while some members of the family are busy cooking delicious turkeys, pecan pies, cornbread dressing and other New Years traditions in the kitchen. That doesn’t sound right. Silly me, of course everyone watches the ball drop in New York on December 31. So when do is all this cooking take place?
Something just doesn’t add up here. I could have sworn there was something after Halloween and before Christmas, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I could have sworn it was a food oriented tradition, but it must have been a foggy memory of mine from childhood.
Since schools have days off and businesses are closed on Thursday, I can only assume that it’s already Christmas! So Merry Christmas everyone! And have a safe holiday. In a few days time it’ll be the New Year, so be sure to have your festive New Years decorations out after Thursday! It would be tacky to start celebrating New Years before Christmas was over. Mustn’t overshadow any holiday like that poor holiday about giving thanks. What ever happened to that one? Let’s not have New Years suffer the same fate. Never forget when the calendar turns back to January.
Remember what you’re thankful for like your family and loved ones, a roof over your head and food on the table. Disregard that last statement for it is the wrong holiday yet again. Be sure to set goals for yourself to live a healthier life, be a happier person, make great strides in your career, tie the knot with your significant other, make higher grades and anything else your heart can dream up.
Make a toast and drink champagne at midnight as 2012 passes by and opens the doors for 2013, a fresh start and a new hope. That is the right holiday, correct? I’m so sorry to my audience. I am usually much more informed but this vague idea of giving thanks is throwing me out of place. With so much excitement of Christmas in the stores, in the towns and in the homes I could have sworn this Thursday is Christmas. Why else would we get the day off?
Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. It’s during the cold winter when all the leaves have fallen from the trees and the air is crisp with grey skies. Loved ones bundle up close together by fires and drink hot chocolate while watching “The Santa Claus” and “A Christmas Story.” College and high school football is over and the winter sports are settling in. Surprising that Christmas is occurring in the autumn and more surprising is that it is passing us by before the big rivalry game between Georgia and Georgia Tech! And high school winter sports have just started stretching their legs.
It’s a magical few days when families unite after travelling long distances (usually) and everyone looks forward to it the most. Like reading a story, one of the most satisfactory moments is the ending. But one must read the entire story to fully embrace the conclusion. As much as Christmas is beloved, it will have its time when it’s appropriate. Don’t skip to the end when there is plenty of story left to enjoy.
This year, as well as in years past, an important chapter has been omitted. If you’re lucky, you can catch a quick blurb about it, but in the blink of an eye it’s gone. New Years is just as important as this fading holiday. Let us always remember the New Year. Start setting your resolutions now and getting out the champagne, decorative 2013 sunglasses and party favors.
Like I said, with Christmas coming up in a couple of days, this Friday is the perfect time to gear up for 2013.
Happy New Year!
Jessica Brown is the staff photographer for the Barrow Journal. You can reach her at jessica@barrowjournal.com.
