Christmas is all around

For those of us in the retail world, the holiday season is in full swing. And although I find myself commiserating with friends and coworkers about Christmas trees before Halloween! and Oh those dastardly songs! and How much more of this can we take! I still find myself giddy as the season approaches. The house is too cold? Why not make a pumpkin pie! If there's no one home but me, no one will know I'm listening to Christmas CDs. (Hey, it's all brand new to Bella!) And so what if I wrap empty boxes just so I can enjoy their splendor. I certainly don't have the means or foresight to keep real presents around the whole season.

I still begrudge the material focus that persists through the season, but to me it's balanced out by the extra glow and sparkle peaking around every corner. When it comes to consumption we are always faced with filtering out the good from the bad. Take the family time, the pretty trees, the hint of snow, and ignore the noisy plastic toys that represent satisfaction for 30.7 seconds.

People will come around eventually and refocus on what truly matters. Take, for example, my dear Container Store, which specifically strives to separate itself from the religion in the season: Gift Wrap Wonderland consisting solely of Santa, reindeer, and snowy scenes. Three years ago they introduced their first religious themed gift wrap, a beautiful nativity montage. It flew almost literally out the door and they struggle to keep it in stock each year. And finally they have added another. (Apparently supply and demand does work.)

The music, on the other hand, remains completely secular. Sixteen versions of Santa Baby, three White Christmasses, and twelve Frosty the Snowmans. Yes, it gets old fast, but I just talk over it and show people how to make the most beautiful bows to put on their perfectly wrapped boxes (presentation does matter!). And at least it means that I can come home and enjoy Oh Holy Night and Carol of the Bells with fresh ears. A win win situation if you ask me.