If you have followed my writing for any length of time, you know that I am a holiday junkie. Whether it’s Halloween and all the cornstalks, scarecrows, and the trick or treaters, I adore not only the main event but all the preparation that goes into making it a memorable experience. Regarding Thanksgiving, though the Thursday feast culminates the day, it’s all the time, effort, and anticipation, that makes the carving of the turkey special. The same goes with Christmas with the shopping, the adorning of the tree, decking the halls, and the kids sitting on Santa’s lap. In other words, everything we do leading up to these special days is really what makes them special.
Does this make sense? Many times, my article publications coincide with the day or week of the actual holiday I am referring to. However, after some thought, by the time the papers reach your doorstep, or in many cases your desktop, we are past the celebratory day and it’s over. So how do we prepare ourselves to enjoy more than just the “day,” and not miss the fun and festivities for the climax? Let’s see if I can offer some tips to make the holidays last just a bit longer.
Recently, I was thumbing through the channels on the radio and while scanning, the radio stopped on 98.7. I was immediately treated to “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” by Perry Como. At first, I thought it was odd that a radio station was playing Christmas music so far in advance of December 25th. Then it occurred to me that this was brilliant in the fact that this was an opportunity for us to enjoy the “seasons” and what they offer before they escape us. I should have thought about this earlier through my own preaching to invite you far in advance not to miss what lies ahead. So, I took a little of my own advice to do a better job of “preparing” for the wonderful holidays that are just around the corner.
I searched through YouTube for Thanksgiving music to see what would pop up. I was amazed at the vintage Thanksgiving songs that came to life. Songs like “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For” by Bing Crosby, “Thanksgiving Theme” by Vince Guaraldi Trio, and “Over the River and Through the Woods” by Lydia Maria Child. An interesting sidenote on this song is it was originally penned in 1844 to be a Thanksgiving poem entitled “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day.” It wasn’t until years later that some of the lyrics were changed to make it more into a Christmas song. Of course, we see this with many other songs too. Though they are appropriate for Thanksgiving, they are played more during the Christmas season.
During this time of year, I swap from my favorite channels on Sirius XM to the more traditional channels for the seasons. Whether it’s Holiday Traditions, Holly, or Country Christmas, timeless holiday music is available for your listening to put you in the mood for the holidays and whet your appetite to get engaged and enjoy the holidays before they leave us.
When the turkey carcass is cleared from the table and the ham bone is put in the freezer to be used for turnip greens later, many families settle in for the Thanksgiving evening with pajamas, warm socks, and a movie appropriate for the season. We are all familiar with the classic Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” but do you ever think of those sometimes-forgotten Thanksgiving flicks? Including, but not limited to, are “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” “Free Birds,” and maybe most iconic “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” I’m sure you remember the opening scene when Lucy lures Charlie Brown to kick the football then as usual pulls the ball away just as he extends his foot to knock the ball through the uprights. The plot thickens though when Charlie Brown receives a call from Peppermint Patty inviting herself to Thanksgiving with Linus suggesting that they prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for all their friends. My point is, why wait until Thanksgiving Day or Christmas to watch these movies? Trust me, they definitely will help put you in the festive mood that goes with the season.
Our recent weather has been fabulous. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is visit a few restaurants that have outside seating. Sometimes during midday I’ll give Stacey a call and tell her to meet me somewhere and we’ll have a holiday libation while sitting by an outside fire. It is especially enjoyable if there is seasonal music playing. A couple of appetizers only adds to the experience.
Do you procrastinate with your Christmas shopping? Do you panic and become stressed trying to get it all done at the last minute? Take my advice and start now. Don’t wait until traffic and crowded check out lines steal your joy. I think you would find that by pacing yourself you would really enjoy the entire process. You want to hear something funny? I have completed my Christmas shopping. That’s’ right, I’m done. Oh, I may find something that I will add to the stash for someone, but I won’t have to fight the crowds unless I just want to sit outside somewhere and take it all in. Of course, this also frees me up to head to the swamp while everyone else is scurrying to get their holiday chores done. Pretty smart, don’t you think?
I suppose there is the risk of getting into the holiday spirit too quickly and become “burned” out. I wouldn’t worry about it though as waiting too long to start would be more stressful for me. I invite you to grab your jacket and head out. Prepare yourself and offer a smile to others as you enjoy the lights, music, and food for the season. When it’s all said and done, I bet you will be glad you did. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
jeff.north@northag.net
