Here We Go Again

A Texas family that put up their Christmas decorations for a home display were told to remove them until it was "closer to the holiday season."

Good. I'm tired of anyone who casts an annoyed eye at 12 weeks worth of Christmas being labeled a "scrooge." I'm not a scrooge, I'm just sick and tired of something that's supposed to be a one day festival event being expanded every year until it becomes a burden instead of a joy. It wasn't very long in the past that two weeks before Christmas was considered the appropriate time to decorate. I know, because I remember it as a child. As recently as the 19th century, it was traditional to erect and decorate a Christmas tree on CHRISTMAS EVE. Now, unfortunately, we have too many people with gobs of free time and disposable income, so a simple festival has turned into a non-stop circus.

I blame the Hallmark Channel. At the rate they're going, Christmas is going to be a year-round event before long. My wife started watching those damned Christmas rom-coms that Hallmark pumps out back in July. JULY, for Chrissake! She's been watching them nearly every day since. I'm not the only one in this boat, either; many of my friends and co-workers complain of the same thing. The movies are cookie-cutter typical, catering to the female genetic desire for home and security and comfort, which is what the winter solstice festival (Christmas in the Western tradition) actually represents.

Personally, I'm ready to shoot Santa Claus in the fucking face by the time December actually gets here, never mind Christmas proper.

There is most definitely such a thing as too much of a good thing.