Christmas isn’t going to sneak up on me this year.
In fact, it’s not going to sneak up on any of us. COVID-19 made sure of that.
Usually, around this time of year, we look at the early days of December and audibly gasp, realizing that yes, once again, Christmas is just around the corner, and we’re not even close to being ready.
There’s not a piece of garland, or tree light, or candle anywhere in your house. It’s still out in the shed, down in the basement, or up in the attic. And Christmas cards? When those first ones arrive, soon after Thanksgiving from those super-organized relatives you both love and resent, you’re thrown into panic mode. How many more shopping days?
Sure, you’ve been getting reminders since, oh, September, when the first Christmas decorations went up in the stores. You ignored them then, because it wasn’t even Halloween. And once you start ignoring the decorations, you start unseeing them. They are the background noise as you search for what you really came into the store to buy.
By the time the background noise becomes the foreground cacophony, it’s usually deep into the holiday season, the turkey is long gone, and you’re just settling in for your yearly struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, because daylight is now about three minutes long.
And yet, we’ve only got four, three, two more weeks before holly-jolly time. How many more shopping days left?
But. Not. This. Year.
Cousin ‘Rona has given us the gift of early planning. When you’re stuck inside, not rushing from gathering to gathering, project to end-of-the-year project, finals at the end of the semester, you can actually start thinking about and planning Christmas.
Those weekends you would have a date night, or office party, or just a nice dinner out? You’re staying home. Address, stamp and mail those Christmas cards and become the relative you used to resent. (I confess, I usually manage to send cards about every two or three years, although I have tons of them I buy after Christmas when they go on sale. Last year’s sentiment is the same as this year’s though, amirite?)
My family has decided we’re actually going to put our tree up early this year. The years I didn’t have to do any of this because we were going out of town, so I could just stick a cheap, plastic wreath on the door and call it a day, are over. At least for 2020. We’re not going anywhere. So Christmas tree, and maybe even outside decorations, it is.
I’m not alone in this. I’ve seen Christmas decorations in my neighborhood much earlier this year. And I get it. We all could use cheering up. We’re fatigued, isolated, weary and some of us are frightened out of our wits. We may as well decorate early and often. And those new Christmas face masks are pretty darn cute. I may have to get a few to add to my burgeoning collection of color-coordinated face wear.
We’ve got plenty of tough days ahead. Even with a vaccine (or three) on the horizon, we’re going to be COVID-19-affected and afflicted for the foreseeable future. But if a few Christmas trees, cards, decorations and goodies can distract us for a little while, I’m all for it.
But in our shopping, decorating, virtual visiting, and all the other adjustments to Coronavirus Christmas, let’s remember this is also a tough time for those who have been isolated, even more than before. We’ve got time to check in on them now, even with just a quick phone call.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As best we can, let’s see if we can make it feel like it too.
Cheryl Charles can be reached at [email protected].
