Christmas starts when Charlie
Brown says it can
Halloween is well behind us now and Thanksgiving is less than
a week away, but I was picking up some milk at the local major
grocery outlet about a week ago, and it couldn’t be ignored –
the Christmas holiday items strewn about two aisles worth or
space in the center of the store.
I’m watching TV, and all of a sudden, I see commercials for
Christmas movies, ads for Visa, Toys ‘R’ Us and Zales
diamonds. Families enjoying the yuletide capitalism that is
the holiday season overrun the ad space, and it upsets me.
Not because this time of year is so commercialized now, but
the fact that companies are in such a rush to promote their
items. Come to think of it, All Saints Day (Nov. 1) should be
put on the calendar as “holiday advertising begins.”
It is so hard for me right now to go out to any major business
without cringing because of all the Christmas décor that lines
the merchandise. And when I hear “Joy to the World” the
Saturday after Halloween at the mall, my heart just sinks into
my stomach.
Now, I am no Scrooge. In fact, I’m quite the Christmas
connoisseur – but only after the fourth Thursday in November
or when “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” airs. This is why I am
such a believer in the Charlie Brown Holiday schedule.
“What’s the Charlie Brown Holiday schedule?” you may be
asking.
Well, it’s quite simple, really. When “It’s the Great Pumpkin,
Charlie Brown” airs just before Halloween, it is the reminder
that the season is fast approaching and to be mindful of the
season. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” kicks off the
Christmas-time spirit, and says “Alright, NOW you
advertise and play Christmas music in the stores”.
can
And then, the grand finale: “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown.”
Just thinking about it wells my eyes. To me, you cannot get a
better Christmas special.
Maybe it’s the message that Christmas is not about
commercialism, but about peace and goodwill toward men or
maybe it’s the way the Peanuts gang fixes up the horrible
little tree that Chuck got into a beautiful and decorative
pine, but I just go back to a simpler time before exams,
essays, bills and rent and just remember what Christmas is
really about for the half an hour this is on. And then, once
this airs, Christmas is here.
So, whenever you walk through a store or you’re going to the
mall, just look around and be conscious of the date, and
remember that tomorrow at 8 p.m., Christmastime can begin,
because Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang said so.