Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” plays faintly in the background, as a warm mug of hot cocoa with precisely six mini marshmallows, warms your hands before you raise the mug to take a small sip. It leaves a tiny mustache above your upper lip before you lick it clean. Decorations ranging from frosty whites to emerald greens can be seen displayed in a neat sort of disarray in every direction. The cold of the outside fights at the window seals for an unwanted entrance as a muted holiday special plays from the television. This is how I know it’s Christmas.
Excitement for the 25th day in December starts on December 26th. Right after the mess of abandoned gift wrappings and torn boxes are cleaned, my heart does a little sigh that the day is almost over. Yes, I know Christmas starts as soon as your feet hit a chilled floor, but it’s over just as quickly. Once your anticipation over what you have received has passed, and the joy of watching someone open a gift you bought dies down, Christmas is good as over.
Some people celebrate Christmas for more holy aspects, and that is completely respected. But, you see me, I celebrate Christmas for the pretty lights and the joy of giving. I’d like to consider myself a rather generous person. (Sometimes) So, being the sweet angel I am, I look at potential gifts year-round. As soon as I think I know what a person not only wants but needs, I make a list of it. Can I ever find those lists when I need them? Of course not! But, it’s the thought that counts.
If you are anything like me, you may find yourself listening to Christmas music in July. Once the Christmas spirit enters me, it rarely leaves. That Christmas spirit hasn’t found me yet. I’ve already bought gifts, listened to “All I Want For Christmas” at least twenty times trying to awaken the spirit, and it still hasn’t found me. I even went to view Christmas lights with my friends over break.
Maybe the weather isn’t cold enough yet. Maybe my mind sensed that this year has been anything but normal. I hope that the skinny legend, Mariah Carey blesses me with some holiday spirit on the 25th play. My voice may go out if I continue to try to hit those high notes. Maybe I should pass out candy canes to spark the joy for Christmas. Or binge of some of my holiday favorites.
Let me know I’m not alone in this holiday funk I’m feeling. Tell me how you get into the holiday spirit.
With a soon to be hoarse voice,
Candy Cane Snatcher
