It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

I admit it. I am a sentimental and geeky pushover for the holidays. I love them. I love the over the top light shows staged on tiny front lawns. I love the too-high volume of holiday songs in shopping centers. I love the sappy commercials, the Salvation Army bell ringers flanking doorways, the odoriferous smell of evergreen and the special way the world looks during these few weeks. I love the way it changes people and how a potent cup of egg nog makes you want to hug people you don't really understand. Dr. Seuss got it right when he penned that whole Grinch allegory--there is truly something that stirs ones humanity during this time of year.

It's also a time for traditions that give us comfort. Is it a song, a ritual or foodstuffs? For me (I confess to you all) it's Rudolph. The early animation of Rankin-Bass' "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is a very early memory. This feature first appeared on NBC in 1964 when I was a toddler but I grew up every subsequent holiday season with it. I was initially terrified by The Bumble. Then I found Cornelius funny, licking his pick-axe. Then as I matured I identified with Herbie and Rudolph's status as misfits. I cried when I saw the characters on the island of misfit toys start to doubt their hope on Christmas Eve...until that moment when the Jack in the Box hears the distant strain of Santa's sleigh bells. Call me an old softy but that moment (despite no less than 40 viewings) still chokes this old broad up. And Rudolph? I do a dead on impression of him to this day ("Ready, Santa!") .

I have watched this every year since my first memory and every time I watch it, it might as well be the first time. I am feeling rather infused with the holiday spirit right now....so much so that this year that I persuaded Fang to get a Christmas tree this weekend. If you don't think that's a big deal, let me add that we haven't had one since 2001.

I am beyond excited.