By Page Forrest
Managing Editor
Most of you who know me are probably expecting an angry word-vomit about the election in this issue. Well, other people have already written a lot of those, and I’m out of emotions right now. Instead, I’m going to tackle another subject that’s near and dear to my heart — something that’s not nearly as serious but still seems to inspire rage in my fellow civilians on a seasonal basis. As far as I’m concerned, it’s acceptable to listen to Christmas music any time of the year, especially starting right after Halloween.
Hear me out. We can approach this from a Christian and a non-Christian holiday aspect. If you’re Christian and celebrate Christmas as such, this gets a lot easier. After all, Jesus wasn’t even born on December 25. More than likely, he was born sometime in the Spring. Why not celebrate Christ’s birth the whole year? Catholics already celebrate the Christmas liturgical season from Christmas Eve to January 11. What’s wrong with 346 more days of Christmas cheer?
As far as Christmas goes for those who don’t celebrate the religious aspect of it, there are still plenty of reasons to pump up the Mariah Carey and Michael Buble early. (Although personally, my current favorite is She & Him’s new Christmas album.) Right now, especially if you’re still less than thrilled with the election results, Christmas music is the some of the most genuine, positive media out there. Common themes include: Love, family, snow, sleigh rides, and cheer. What’s more heartwarming than that? If you’re not too excited about family political “discussions” over Thanksgiving, drown them out with the Vince Guaraldi Trio. It’s really hard to argue when you’re thinking about the message of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The United Kingdom has the right idea. Because they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, they start celebrating Christmas in mid-November. Cities host Christmas festivals, and holiday-themed markets abound. I’m not advocating we skip Thanksgiving altogether, because it’s definitely my second favorite holiday (three guesses as to what my first favorite is), but it’s not like Thanksgiving has its own music. There is so much to the Christmas genre, and it can easily last well over a month.
As Buddy the Elf put it, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Now, the good news is, you don’t have to put up with my singing along to Christmas carols unless you’re a regular in my passenger seat. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, no worries. Find your equivalent — whatever music makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside – and play it to your heart’s content. But the point is, no matter how you celebrate the holiday, we could all use a little Christmas cheer right now.