Call Me Charlie Brown

I went to JCPenney the first week of October (2010) to shop for a new shirt for a vacation to Arizona.  Nice hot climate.  Vacation.  Time away from reality.  I didn’t want to have to think about anything annoying.  Ah, but the world never stops.  Therefore, I was of course annoyed by something.   What did I see when I walked in the door?   A CHRISTMAS TREE!   

I couldn’t believe it yet at the same time I wasn’t surprised.  But I was angry.   I was there to shop for a new outfit that I could strut around Arizona in.   Hot weather.    It isn’t even Halloween yet.   The leaves were still green on the trees.  Christmas was and still is the last thing I want to deal with.  I didn’t want to think about Christmas because it just means cold weather and debt. 

Autumn is my favorite season.  It is so colorful.  Oranges, gold, reds, greens.  So many fabrics - cotton, wool, flannel, fleece and denim.   Autumn is almost every season all wrapped up in one.   The mornings are dewy, the afternoons are bright and warm, but the evenings are chilly.   You can wear your short sleeved cotton shirt, cover it with a flannel jacket and end the day snuggled in a fleece blanket in front of the fire. 

The trees explode with color.  Those of us from the Midwest immediately think of apple orchards, pumpkin donuts, raking leaves and baking bread.   Such a vibrant and exciting season!

But no.  The retailers killed that for me.  Being confronted with a Christmas tree was the limit.  BEFORE Halloween.  It used to be at Thanksgiving.  Then just before thanksgiving.  Then right after Halloween.   But now?   BEFORE Halloween! 

I stood in the doorway of the store and launched into a tirade about it.   My husband patiently stood there and tried not to look like he knew me.   It didn't work.  

No, this is just not acceptable.  Not to me anyway.   Get away from me with Christmas.  Don’t rob me of the pumpkin bread and warm apple cider and hay rides and snuggling with my husband in one of his flannel jackets that smells like bonfires, leaves and his cologne.   I will not allow that to be spoiled.   And I hope all of you won’t either.

Stand up for the seasons.  Tell the retailers to buzz off. Quit rushing us through the year and our lives.   It isn't about their bottom line.  It is about us taking back our rituals and our cherished childhood traditions.

Why do I say to call me Charlie Brown?  Because I agree with him.  Christmas is just too commercial.  And a Christmas tree on October 1 proves it.    I used to laugh at Art Van for having a Christmas in July sale.   In a few years, they will be the norm.   Then they will have to move it to St. Patrick's day just to stand out.  Oy! 

I am getting tired of it.   I don’t know.  Maybe it’s just me.