Ho Ho NO!

  As I write this, it's early November in 2022. Hallowe'en just ended, midterm elections are coming up, Thanksgiving is in a few weeks, and (no real surprise) Christmas things are a-happening.
   
   Like just about every kid, there was a time when I loved Christmas; time off from school, the lights, snow, and of course, presents! It's great when you're younger. But, as you get older, things change somewhat. Work might let you have some time off (retail, not so much; and with the ability of working from home, you "don't need time off!"), you have to hang the lights yourself (after untangling them, of course), you have to shovel the snow yourself if you can't make or pay anyone to do it, and you have to buy and wrap the gifts. Not as much fun as it was in the past, is it?

   I'm not that into Christmas anymore...I don't hang lights, I don't really shop, and I find that it's just not as 'magical' as it once was. Maybe because I don't have children...or maybe because I once worked in retail, and have seen some things.
   Here's two examples of what I mean:

   In the early '80s, I worked in a local toy store. That in itself wasn't an issue. What was, was that the Cabbage Patch Kids first appeared. It was INSANE! Moms fighting other moms, people hanging around the loading dock to try and get us to "accidentally" drop a doll or two into their car...just unreal. If you've thought Tickle Me Elmo was madness, read this.
   
   The second, isn't so much something I've experienced, but always happens happens every damn year.
   There is a coffee establishment that is known for various specialty coffee drinks. For a while, they would have 'festive holiday cups' with MERRY CHRISTMAS written on the sides. People make it a point to get these things just to show off. "Look at me! I'm FESTIVE!!!" Well, goody for you. I'd have never guessed...what with your Christmas sweater, Christmas leggings, Christmas novelty hat, Christmas light-up necklace, Christmas details on your car, etc. And now, you've got the cup! Congratulations! You've completed the Holiday Voltron!
   And then.....the writing on the cups stopped. They ended up with designs: trees, ornaments, reindeer, snowflakes (much like the Holiday people). But no holiday greetings. Madness! Insanity! How will we know if someone is festive or not? How will someone know that *I* am festive, without the cup?!?! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
   So, what did they do? Just drink the coffee in the non-festive cup, and be happy they have coffee? Why, no! "Boycott!" "Law suit!" "Protest!" And my favourite? "When you get a drink, tell them your name is 'Merry Christmas'! That way, they'll have to call out 'Merry Christmas'! GENIUS!!!" Morons.
 
   Look, as long as the cup isn't racist, homophobic, or sexist, I don't care what's on the outside. It's on the inside that counts. Much like people. Lead by example during the Holiday season. 'Peace on Earth, good will towards men (or humanity, if you prefer)' shouldn't be just a saying. Live it all year round.

   It's what the cups would want us to do.