I’m not sure how it works in other neighborhoods, and it might very well be the same, but all I know is once November 1st hits, the Christmas lights come out in full swing. If you’re from the Toronto area, you’ll know what I mean.
Enjoy this Freedom Friday post about the merits of waiting.
October 31st is Halloween. You wouldn’t guess that is true from what happens the next day. The day after Halloween is fun. It’s like the stores magically turn their decorations from ghouls and goblins to Santa’s merry little elves, and the Christmas trees are ready for their assault on shoppers. I never know what to make of it. Like a perfectly timed choreography, even the radio ads turn to Christmas carols—and it’s only the day after Halloween! Yes, I know I said that a few times. I suppose I’m trying to make a point here.
Now, I understand retailers wanting to start early with all the festivities, but I’m just not ready for that. In the United States, it’s a sweet deal. Being Canadian, I actually appreciate it more than you’d know. For Americans, the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. It’s when retailers finally turn their bottom lines into black. Christmas for them also officially begins that day. I know of a family in the States, and possibly most families, who string up their decorations for that weekend.
See, to me, that makes sense. I don’t think Americans would argue with me either. The day after Thanksgiving gives you a whole month to go off and plunder the stores all in an effort to get the best deals around. That’s logic. It makes sense.
Here where I live, the day after Halloween the kids are still recovering from having eaten that pound of candy they told their parents they wouldn’t consume. The boney ornaments from the night before are still hanging on the door outside, waiting to greet the mail carrier who will more than likely be there to deliver the Christmas catalog from your friendly neighborhood department store. And the nearest coffee shop will have the Christmas tunes blaring on their sound system hoping customers would purchase their cinnamon mocha cappuccino ole espresso Irish divine cream coffee.
Whatever happened to waiting? Everyone’s in such a rush to do the Christmas thing nowadays that no one stops to ask why. Has the media conditioned us in such a way that we accept everything fed to us? Where’s the patience?
I say all good things are worth the wait. I know it’s a cliché, but isn’t it true? I’m not talking about Christmas only. Sometimes waiting for the perfect opportunity to act on a decision will yield the best results. Sometimes waiting for the next bus will save your life. And sometimes waiting for the rain will make things grow faster.
Waiting patiently makes for an incredible character-building experience. Perhaps this time of year is the most optimal time to build that character.
Or maybe—I just don’t know what I’m talking about.
Have you had to wait for something in your life that you wished would have come sooner?
Looking to God 
I love the decorations of Christmas probably because I wish we had more lights in our street. There are only three houses that really go for it. The images above shine so bright, clever compositions. I am enjoying the festive lights from your post!
Christmas seems to be shoved down your throat now and seemingly earlier each year. I think the problem is that most of the retail industry rely heavily on a good Christmas period to boost sales figures and hit targets.
Yes, soon after Halloween all of the Christmas stuff starts going up in stores! Eeek! I liked that top photo of the pumpkins!
I am sixty nine soon and there is little I need. I have become wanting good things for others and not really for myself. I would like to see a legacy of good things and the world changing for the better. But alas, it is not happening.
I’m not sixty-nine, but I’m still the kind of guy who doesn’t really want anything for Christmas other than wanting to be with the family. Maybe I have a sixty-nine-year-old mentality!
Family is number one, health is up there to and the ability to enjoy life that is definitely a plus.
I wish I could say America really does wait til Black Friday to usher in Christmas but for the past two weeks, the Kroger we shop at has literally had pumpkins and ceramic ghosts for sale on one side of the sliding doors and goofy looking snowmen and what not on the other. The truly sad thing? The Christmas decorations have been vanishing as much as the Halloween ones, which means some crazy people have already bought them! Oh well – Happy Hallothanksmas!
That’s nothing. I had an aunt who started Christmas shopping & signing cards & getting them ready to mail around AUGUST !
She would’ve been happy living in Frankenmuth, MI & working at this ginormous Christmas store ( Bronner’s ) that they have up there. Christmas music playing 24 – 7, until you start hoping for nerve deafness ( Or maybe get earplugs ).
I agree. To me December is the start of getting ready for Christmas. We wait to put up our decorations. A couple or weeks ago I was shocked not only to see Christmas decorations on display at a store but also to see Christmas decorations in someone’s front yard.
What’s even sadder is how a lot of retail stores here in the states are now opening up on Thanksgiving holiday so people can go shopping. Not cool.
Black Friday sales are spilling into Canada, too. Most folks do all their shopping online now, so it isn’t too much of a problem–yet.
I totally agree with you and I’m a retailer! But, my husband makes us hold off on some seasonal things. Like egg nog, I make killer egg nog but he won’t allow it to make an appearance too early. Because of that specialness in the waiting.
Unfortunately, most of Western society appears to run on almost – instant gratification.
As for Christmas prep, I usually wait ’til Thanksgiving to trot out the tree & decorations. One of my neighbours takes Halloween decor from the door, & voila ! – An angel banner or Nativity scene goes up on the door.
Great post, Jack! Patience is a virtue.
When I need to practice patience I go visit a government office or a doctor. Yup. I come out a reborn waiter. Fun post.
That’ll do the trick, John!
As a child I wanted nothing more than to be an adult. I hated having to wait until I grew up. Now as an adult I relish in the fact that I still be a child, occasionally. And I still hate to wait!