The Ghetto Grinch

So, I am walking around the Arlington, Virginia area today and noticed all of the Christmas decorations and lights. One of the first things that struck me was that I remember these lights and decorations being up at the end of October. What is up with that? See, I have a problem with Christmas and the holidays in general.

Does this make me a Grinch? Maybe, or am I just sick of the commercialization that the holidays have become. I remember when I was a young lad in Maryland, the holiday season was the best time of the year. Everyone was in a great mood, you had the family around to celebrate with and you received gifts. I fell for all the holiday madness hook, line and sinker when I was younger, but it all changed at the age of 8. My mother had suckered me into believing in Santa Claus, the North Pole and all the Christmas jazz. Hell, I loved watching those classic Christmas specials like Rudolph's Shiny New Year, A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, just to name a few. We were always told to leave out milk and cookies for Santa and make sure that we went to bed early. All the good children would receive presents. So, I fell for it. That Christmas I woke up early because I had to use the bathroom. In order for me to get to the bathroom, I had to walk down a hallway. The bathroom was across from the living room. When I went towards the bathroom I looked into the living room and who do I see?? My older sisters and mom putting together toys and laying out the presents. They saw me and told me to go to bed. I said to my mother, "I thought Santa Claus put out the presents?" What was her answer? "Yes he does, but he jumped behind the tree." Well, I knew that was a crock but played along with it anyway. From that moment on, Christmas would never be the same again.

Flash forward to today and my attitude towards the holidays has only become worse. Most people don't even know what the true meaning of Christmas is. Luckily, my mother sat me down when I was younger to tell me that Christmas was more then getting presents. I find it hard for me to say Merry Xmas or Happy Holidays when I truly don't mean it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate someone taking the time to say it to me or whatever, so I feel obligated to respond. Christmas is way too commercial. Most people are mainly concerned about getting stuff. I remember a friend of mine gave her boyfriend a really cool hand made gift. Something from the heart and very nice. He got her a very expensive necklace. He was absolutely pissed that he just got some homemade present. That's what gift giving has come to. Buy someone something expensive and receive something inexpensive in return and see how you react to it. The holiday spirit just seems fake to me. Could this just be me? Am I truly the Ghetto Grinch?

Santa, please help me!