Christmas in July

Christmas in July? I never liked the idea.


Somehow the rush to purchase a gift just for the sake of purchasing a gift is losing momentum in my heart. What happened to the days when the snow would fall and you'd whistle "Winter Wonderland"?
Or the month before Christmas you and the kids would get excited about Santa coming, have hot chocolate by the fire while listening to classic holiday tunes, oh don't forget hanging your stocking! Even my Jewish friends used get excited about the season of holly.

It seems long gone are the lazy days of holiday relaxation and cheer. The focus is on expensive gift giving and giving "things". Today, there are many reasons people tend to shop for gifts so early in the season, one is because everything is so expensive. With the need to get "everyone" a gift for the holiday, we put ourselves to a money, crunch test in late November. It is spending in the absurd sense, hence shopping in July. Quality items are more expensive and time is of the essence, who relaxes? Is it possible to make your children smile about what's under the tree, have the hubby like his new "toyl" (oops, tool) and mom can sit back with a happy grin knowing family, as well as friends are happy? Yes, if you shop in July! I never said I liked it, but many people have reduced themselves to this frame of thought with regards to holiday gift giving.

In a world where everything is technical, video-game or tv oriented, shopping for our children and family has become much more expensive then it ever has been in the past. The classic car or doll doesn't quite cut it, and if it does, the "incredible feeling" your child has with the car or doll only lasts for a short time. So what am I thinking? It's sad, but some "force" in society is moving people away from the sentimental, spiritual and exciting sense the holiday season, and leading us all to buy "expensive things". It's our responsibility to show the next generation, that although things and expensive gifts are quite nice to receive, holiday time is a time of reflection of spiritual sense, family, good will and happy times.

Now being in business, consumers are important to me. Everyone needs to purchase something at some point or another. The Merry Bird...pen, ink and design holiday cards (I know holiday cards are on your list too!) may be one step that is a quality way to turn the tides of society's "force" to purchase or spend frivolously, into a sentimental note that says, I love you and thought of you this holiday season. Simple holiday cards make any holiday complete. How about shopping for your holiday cards this July? www.themerrybird.com