Did our elders ever imagine that there could be a website where you could push a button and a battery operating flying apparatus would drop off a
product later that day? Did our previous generations ever fight with their neighbors over who had the best Christmas decor? Did they wander the aisles
of a big box store, throwing items in a cart, while mashed up against other humans trying to nab the best black Friday gift?
Um, no.
Remember the days of Christmas being magical? Waking up and ACTUALLY knowing, not thinking, knowing that Saint Nicholas really shimmied down
the fireplace? I do. I vividly remember bells falling from the tree on Christmas Eve, squeezing my eyes tight while thinking, “HE’S HERE!”
Magic.
It’s up to you to make this magic happen, as others before us made it happen. But what is magic or even the spirit of Christmas as an adult? It’s hard,
since we have other responsibilities to process the 364 days before Christmas.
But it’s as simple as the wink of an eye and a twist of the head.
Making someone’s Christmas IS the magic. It doesn’t have to just be the kids.
Here is list of things to cross off your Scrooge list to help you get into the holiday spirit:
1. Decorate your house. Whether its one strand or fifty, put some lights up. Coming from someone who didn’t celebrate for a few years, you’ll be
surprised how merry a few twinkling lights make your evenings. And poo poo all that ‘wait until its December.’ Put it up and enjoy your southern
tradition of having our lights up for too long.
2. Entertain some family or friends that have become family! When you’re feeling a blue Christmas, call your people. I have many fond memories
of my mom and dad calling friends or aunts and uncles to come over for some Christmas cheer. Surrounding yourself with people that really matter
is what the season is all about! When they are leaving, tell them you love them. You will never, ever know what those words mean to the ones you love.
3. Be generous with your time or money. Maybe the holidays aren’t about Christmas dinner or presents to you, but there will always be that
person out there who doesn’t have a third of what you have. We have responsibilities as humans to co-exist, and until we don’t, let’s show others
the empathy of a memory. We’ve all been burned and made to feel like a fool, but no one can take away the memory of magic. It’s nice to be
reminded of that, even if the memory is awakened by a stranger.
4. Peace. Find a little extra peace for yourself. The year behind you brought you bills, bosses, and other things, so do yourself a favor and go out to
the beach, crumble it up in an imaginary ball, and let it go. Here comes 2020! Can you ACTUALLY believe its 2020? It’s like we are all living in a
sci-fi movie, but as far as I know, we are all still flesh and blood. No artificial intelligence other than our phones recording us going viral helping
other animals and humans when needed! Post your videos too.
Merry Christmas to All, and to All a good beer!
18 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | DEC 2019
By Jenny Ellis