It's no secret that the calendar moves faster as we age, or at least it seems like it to many of us. You're welcoming the New Year one day and then it seems you're bidding it farewell soon thereafter.
I've noticed a few objective points of reference recently that make me think the accelerated movement of the calendar isn't all in the mind of this old man. I submit them here for your consideration.
I visited a local outlet of a national retailer about two weeks before Christmas Day and was surprised to see a display of St. Valentine's Day merchandise, a commercial event celebrated on Feb. 14. I appreciate that many like to plan ahead and prepare for annual celebrations, but this seemed hurried and unnecessary, even for those individuals.
A couple of days after celebrating Christmas, I visited the local outlet a second national retailer and observed a display of St. Patrick's Day merchandise, which will be celebrated March 17, three months away. Time flies when you have merchandise to move, apparently, not just when you age.
I attributed both observations to aggressive marketing, but I was surprised and disappointed by a third observation, one that I haven't noticed before in my neighborhood. Many of my friends and neighbors took down their Christmas decorations, indoor and outdoor, immediately after the holiday. My neighborhood went from resembling a traditional Christmas village to just a regular streetscape in less than 48-hours.
Most disappointing to me was a decision by the operators of a nearby pre-school to take down their holiday decorations immediately after Christmas. The school is locally known for its seasonal outdoor decorations, particularly at Halloween and Christmas. Oh, you should see them. I always enjoy viewing their displays. The school's operators kept their Christmas display up through early January years past, but not this year, and their abrupt departure from their practice, stunned and disappointed me.
My parents observed the 12 days of Christmas during my childhood, and we kept our holiday decorations, including our natural Christmas tree up and decorated through Jan. 5, leading up the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Some years this meant are decorations, particularly the outdoor lights, were not down and packed away until nearly the middle of January, depending on schedules and weather conditions.
We never put away the decorations with the excitement and enthusiasm we showed while putting them up in early December, but Dad always reminded us that storing them neatly would make it easier to unpack them for the next holiday season. One way or another the lights, the ornaments, the accessories and even the family naivety set, which I still own today, got packed away in the front attic of our house.
So, while our neighbors have tucked away their decorations and local businesses look ahead to February and March, my wife and I will wait until Sunday, Jan. 4 to take down our lights, our ornaments, and our tree. Then and only then, will we say farewell to Christmas 2005. We will then move ahead with 2026 at our own pace.
-- Happy New Year, and thank you for reading. Please offer comments or questions here, or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com.
