The holidays can’t wait. The day after Halloween, the commercials were already holiday themed; you could tell by the jingle bells in the background on every soundtrack. One day bells symbolize doom and horror, and the next it’s all candy canes and early bargains. Those candy canes, by the way, may have been made back in July.
Remember when November was normal until Black Friday?
The general well-being of our country can be measured in how quickly we need Christmas. We’re in a bad way right now, if we’re embracing red and green, snow themes and gingerbread house kits already.
Shouldn’t we be thinking about Thanksgiving instead? Perhaps that is too late, as flight bargain hunters have already snatched up the best rates online. We have come a long way from those days when one would drop by a travel agency and buy a comfy seat, from a nice agent, on a well-maintained aircraft piloted by truly qualified people. Now one never knows what a flight home for turkey you don’t have to prepare will turn out to be. The seats are cramped, you can’t pack anything anymore, and your seatmates may well be. . .well, let’s say not everybody is mannerly on flights these days.
Do the stores are decked out, and the cards line the Hallmark store shelves, and the mall kiosks are stuffed with wintery baubles. Even Santa will be spending more time there, with some arrivals as early as this weekend.
What we won’t have is a Toys R Us® big book of toys, and many will miss out on K-Mart and Sears this year. People would rather shop as if they’re doing surgery: impersonally, online, and have it shipped hoping the stuff won’t get lifted by opportunistic neighborhood thieves.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls: it’s tolling for us all.
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