IT STARTED INNOCENTLY enough. A friend mused to me the other night that they wanted to get in there and get in on that Black Friday shopping craziness, and lamented that Canada didn't have the same tradition. Ah yes, the American Thanksgiving Friday. Traditional opening to the Christmas shopping season. I pointed out, of course, that Canadians have Boxing Day. She grimaced. "Boxing Day sucks."
Then, from three separate people -- none of whom know each other -- I heard tale of how happy they were that Starbucks has brought out the traditional Red Christmas Cups.
Ah yes. In two generations we've gone from Advent Wreaths and Tree lighting ceremonies to "Behold this cup of crimson!"
I mentioned to one of the Three Wise Starbuckers, "They're Holiday Cups, Shurely? Don't be racist!" I was roundly ignored. As I knew I would be.
Finally today, a phone call -- a breathless voice on the line, a palpable, ever-expansive joy in the timbre, "Guess what!"
"What?"
"Swiss Chalet's Festive Special is Back!"
I give up.
We need an Irving Berlin to work this all into a proper Carol so we can gain back some nostalgic ground.
Twenty years from now, I firmly believe we'll all be swaying delightfully to "Snow on the Chalet Sauce." It will not occur to anyone to roast a chestnut. Myrrh will remain mysterious, no one will understand why cattle low, there will be no corn-cob pipes, and Noel will be that guy who used to be in Oasis.
...and there will be people who still mourn the fact that Canadian Tire stopped with the "Give like Santa, Save Like Scrooge" spots.
Y'know. People.
Okay. I miss them. Fine. You happy now?
Sigh. First World Lame.
You know, if I'm really honest with myself, this probably all started when I was still a little child, living in Florida, and Santa came that one year on Water Skiis. You don't forget a thing like that. It changes you.
Where's Linus when you really need him?
4 rumbles:
Linus? He's on his way back for another visit, too, never fear.
Denis, your Great Aunt Elizabeth was a good fried of Irving Berlin. Thought you'd want to know.
But we still have the Grinch and Alistair Sim in A Christmas Carol.
Holy Cow, John, that's wicked! I want to hear the story of that sometime! I have often, through the years, mused how glad I was to know Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Jack, even briefly, even as a child. They were both so large and full presences in any room they were in.
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