Hallowe'en and Humbug
The annual Silver Snail Hallowe'en party was on Saturday night, so of course we went, and fun was had by all. Pictures available on my husband's flickr account, here. The wee Thor won for best Snail Staff costume, while Dr. Strange (not pictured) took home the best non-staff costume. Graig didn't win anything for his awesome Phantom Stranger costume, which I thought was completely unfair, but then I recognize I may be biased...
I feel that Hallowe'en should be over now. After all, I've had *my* party. But its not, there's still this upcoming Wednesday when we'll take Jet out trick or treating and my brother will hand out the all too tempting candy currently hidden in the basement that we bought yesterday.
Of course, as far as the retailers are concerned, Hallowe'en IS over. At least, I am judging this by the amount of Christmas stuff already appearing in stores. I swear, there really ought to be a law, Christmas stuff in stores BEFORE Hallowe'en is over is wrong. So wrong. Given my upbringing (my father's been in advertising for nearly 40 years now), I have always been rather tolerant of commercialism. I understand the thinking that goes behind it, the emotions they are trying to appeal to and the reactions they are trying to illicit from you. I'm not saying its wrong or right, having benefited from the fruits of advertising my entire life, I do not feel I can impartially judge it, but the crass commercialism of Christmas never ceases to piss me off year after year. And no, its not that I bemoan the loss of the 'meaning' of Christmas (its an invented holiday anyway), its just I resent having it in my face for a good two months before it even arrives. Cripes, if I resent it, I can only imagine how people of non-Christian denominations feel towards it. Christmas as an industry isn't about spreading the joy, its about spending money and making sure everyone hates the very thought of it by the time December 25th rolls around. I want to be able to relax and recover from Hallowe'en before I feel like I have to be whipped into a frenzy of preparation for the NEXT big holiday. Heck, Americans have Thanksgiving between now and Xmas, how can they possibly be ready for BOTH given the limited time available??? (yes, this is me being sarcastic)
There are aspects of Christmas I like. I admit this. I love decorating my Christmas tree every year. I love Christmas dinner with my family. I am greatly anticipating Christmas morning with my husband. I love watching Jet open his presents. I know I am part of the problem because I do like buying Christmas presents for all my loved ones. But I wish that I wasn't so tired out by the whole Xmas-machine by the end of the holiday.
See, the Christmas stuff starts appearing and all ready I'm bah-humbugging. Not good.
I feel that Hallowe'en should be over now. After all, I've had *my* party. But its not, there's still this upcoming Wednesday when we'll take Jet out trick or treating and my brother will hand out the all too tempting candy currently hidden in the basement that we bought yesterday.
Of course, as far as the retailers are concerned, Hallowe'en IS over. At least, I am judging this by the amount of Christmas stuff already appearing in stores. I swear, there really ought to be a law, Christmas stuff in stores BEFORE Hallowe'en is over is wrong. So wrong. Given my upbringing (my father's been in advertising for nearly 40 years now), I have always been rather tolerant of commercialism. I understand the thinking that goes behind it, the emotions they are trying to appeal to and the reactions they are trying to illicit from you. I'm not saying its wrong or right, having benefited from the fruits of advertising my entire life, I do not feel I can impartially judge it, but the crass commercialism of Christmas never ceases to piss me off year after year. And no, its not that I bemoan the loss of the 'meaning' of Christmas (its an invented holiday anyway), its just I resent having it in my face for a good two months before it even arrives. Cripes, if I resent it, I can only imagine how people of non-Christian denominations feel towards it. Christmas as an industry isn't about spreading the joy, its about spending money and making sure everyone hates the very thought of it by the time December 25th rolls around. I want to be able to relax and recover from Hallowe'en before I feel like I have to be whipped into a frenzy of preparation for the NEXT big holiday. Heck, Americans have Thanksgiving between now and Xmas, how can they possibly be ready for BOTH given the limited time available??? (yes, this is me being sarcastic)
There are aspects of Christmas I like. I admit this. I love decorating my Christmas tree every year. I love Christmas dinner with my family. I am greatly anticipating Christmas morning with my husband. I love watching Jet open his presents. I know I am part of the problem because I do like buying Christmas presents for all my loved ones. But I wish that I wasn't so tired out by the whole Xmas-machine by the end of the holiday.
See, the Christmas stuff starts appearing and all ready I'm bah-humbugging. Not good.