Christmas Cheer...??

I have come to the conclusion that we are a strange society. We spend nearly an entire calendar month preparing for our Christmas celebrations. Hours of shopping accompanied by company parties and decorating.

Aside from the preparations is the so-called "spirit" of Christmas. It the time of year in which our culture has convinced us that we should be exceptionally courteous, giving and grateful. Whatever is necessary to guilt trip our society into kindness should be utilized. No quabbles with that.

The confusing portion of "Christmas Time" is how quickly it disappears. The countless hours of anticipation of those one or two days and nights of joy seems to dissipate miraculously by the 26th of December. Indeed some Christmas trees, lights and decorations may remain for the following week. But the fervor of that special time of year ceases to exist. People do not seem to have the smiles in their eyes. The courteousness and philanthropy have been all-used-up like the toilet paper roll.

Now that the holiday season is nearly over, we can once again expect our friends and family mentioning the failing economy, global warming and how much they loathe their jobs.

We spend so much time preparing, and are so quickly able to put Christmas behind us. Why doesn't Christmas extend further?? Why aren't gifts still exchanged and parties thrown beyond midnight of December 25th?? If Santa Claus has no problem sticking his ass into Thanksgiving, as comedian Lewis Black has stated, why can't Santa's fat keester push its way through to President's Day??, if not only for the reason to perpetuate further holiday cheer. Religion plays no role in my life aside from the fact I celebrate Christmas because it has nearly become an American obligation. But if we as a country could stretch the life of the Christmas "spirit," we would be able to extend the graciousness and good-doing that characterizes it. People would be happier and less-stressed about their lives further into the new year, and make life in this country that much more bearable.

I say leaves those "Merry Christmas," and "Happy Holidays" window paintings up through January, or the whole year if you dare. The is no denying the ability of the holiday season to cause a transformation in the psyches of millions of Americans. If it takes a never ending holiday season to maintain a more pleasant state-of-mind of our friends and neighbors, what, if anything, is wrong with that??