let it snow!

As the bulk of seasons greetings will soon be upon us, I have realized why it feels so much earlier this year ... December is far too warm! I would like to say that it has been the move "down south" to Philly that has created this backwards weather for me, but alas, no precipitation has really stuck in my New England homeland, either. Surely, it would be a unique Christmas season without any white hitting the ground.


It is a mystery, figuring out all of these holiday plans in a new environment. Though I have been fortunate to live many places in my life, the holidays have always been surrounded by family and a cold winter. This Pennsylvania climate is all so different just hours south of where I normally sing "Ho, ho ho." Fortunately, Maine is in my Christmas future this year, as Mike (the hubby-to-be) and I spent the Thanksgiving holiday with his family, my soon-to-be second family. It was a wonderful week of filling our bellies, and filling our time with great conversation and new memories. Maine's Christmas will be equally great, as all 6 of us immediate family members will reunite for the first time since ... last Christmas? (Is that right?) Significant others and a dog make 10, it will be a bustling house full of elves for sure.


Since before Thanksgiving, local radio stations have been playing Christmas music nonstop - and I can't get enough. Hardly will I seek another genre during this time of year, as its overall spirit and joy enlightens me. Regardless of whichever holiday you may celebrate during the final month of the year, December bows to Janurary with great pride, spilling out all of its graciousness and generosity. New Year's Eve bookends the joyous celebration of the holidays, and its sentiment is no less vibrant than that of Christmas. So although the daylight is scarce, I always find myself singing along with corny carols amidst the headlights on the way home. It is hard to be bothered by traffic when you're belting "All I Want for Christmas" with Mariah Carey.


It's not just Christmas Day that is cause for such celebration this time of year. Some say the commercialization of the holiday is overwhelming, and from the parties, to the gift exchanges, to the charitable donations, it's true that the whole month is pretty much consumed by Christmas. The overwhelming aspect of it is that the spirit of it tends to get lost in its now more materialisitic nature. There is always a group of overly enthused decorators, but I like to believe at the core of it, they are trying to shine a little love on their world. I don't find it hard to appreciate the spirit of Christmas and giving, especially at the end of one's year. With winter in tow, Christmas kicks off the season in style. People come together and contribute to causes larger than themselves, and we look at what really matters to us all. There is no denying a grinch or two may arise, but even the Dr. Seuss character found his heart beating with glee in the end.


So here's to all the Christmas festivities coming your way (or Hannukah, or Kwanzaa). And no matter where you are, I hope you get the December you have been waiting for. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!