Into the Holiday Blender
First there were SUVs and sedans. Then the best of both in crossovers.
First there were upscale mansions or hovels. Finally the wisdom of elegant, but tiny houses.
Blending some holidays together into one day is a logical progression.
Not a hostile takeover.
Not so outlandish – a modern simplification of life.
Distilled to the essence and keeping the best of each.
And hey, it would solve all those awkward situations of someone being left out for one reason or the other in the current one focus per holiday.
Valentines day is the perfect intro to the general public of holiday merging.
It’s all about love and relationships, so smush in Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, Day of the Young Child…
Think of the time you’ll save – one day for all and done!
How could companies and school refuse to declare a merged Valentines Day a day off?
I know, marketing and retail will Grinch about crashing their the economy, but they would soon hype Valentines Day up into a Christmas-like gift binge and competition.
Valentines Day would soon require home decor, table decorations, and party ware as well as cards and gifts.
Think of the demand for fancy food items, catering, and restaurants.
Children could again be singing “Over the River and through the woods..” as they travel. Airports would be thrilled with another command performance of don’t-you-dare-miss-or-you’ll-be-the-one-everyone-talks-about family gathering.
Think about it. This could be huge! Hmmm, now what other holidays could be consolidated?
Halloween, All Saint’s Day, and Día de los muertos are already pretty close.
Not sure if July 4th, Cinco de mayo, and Bastille Day would every really work…all about freedom, but battles could be waged over those.
Merges would also silence those who say, “If every day is special, then nothing is special!”
Well, nothing can be pretty special.
The Gift of Nothing Day, December 15th, is almost here!
(The what? The Why? And the How? here)
Christmas was pretty much nothing when I was little.
Oh, we had the decorations, tree, and carols, but with birthdays so close and a frugal budget, Santa was practical and knew you’d appreciate and treasure one gift much more than a couple of flimsy, cheap items destined for short-lived interest or life.
We, kids, knew not to expect much as “It’s the thought that counts.”
But still packages were more than just wrapped in bright paper. It started out as making the boxes look like what the Three Kings might have brought to the first Noel. Each present was wrapped and decorated with cutouts from old Christmas cards, magazines, stickers, glitter, rescued silk flowers, bits of ribbon/lace/braid – items collected over each year. Handmade bows – none of those shiny pointed ones from the store.
As I got older I ended up wrapping most of the presents for the entire family – each year with a themes like Victorian, Wild West or Farmer Santa. For weeks ahead of Christmas, the tree proudly stood over a magical display worthy of an expensive department store.
Although we all knew there was nothing in the boxes – well, we did do silly things like adding a brick or bells so if the present was shaken, you’d never guess what was in it. And there were witty gag sayings on the tags to suggest but mislead what was inside. Although “Sock it to ya’ ” would have been considered too easy for knee highs, but “Got your goat” might wind up on a mohair sweater box.
We thought it was fun. Christmas is supposed to be all about joy, right?
It was the thought that counts, anyway.
As Christmas approaches, I often think of nothing.
As the holidays blend into the year, maybe mix in a bit of nothing for flavor
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
See more of our Christmas present wrappings here: ” Fa LA-LA LA LA: thought, time, and paste”
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25 Comments
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it’s better we don’t iclude the bastille day… we celebrate freedom while captured in traffic jams… and we celebrate the work in may while doing nothing ;O)))
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Isn’t it odd how celebrations have changed – people now happily jump in cars to experience holiday traffic with glee…or maybe that’s from all the wine?
Hope many squirrels join you on your nothing walks! Thanks for the giggles
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I like nothing day. I celebrate it every day! No muss, no fuss, easy peasy!
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Good plan! Another reason I Christmas shop early – will not allow anything to interfere with my nothingness!(and then there’s always the minor dog crisis HAHA)
I bet fish ponds celebrate nothingness – do you think they are the ultimate participants? Squirrels and birds are obviously far too busy HAHA
Thanks for the nothing!
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I once put a Christmas fruit cake in the blender.
It did NOT work out well at all…
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AH, the vintage Jack LaLanne juicer approach….your experiment’s proof some things simply cannot be made healthy.
Hope your day is smoothie and well blended
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Now that’s funny!
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I love your idea about blending holidays, especially the Hallmark Holidays. Of course, then Hallmark would have to invent new holidays to replace the blended ones, right?
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But it would be so modern…like modern families: blended – with potential of a split later on which would mean doubling potential again! HAHA
Thanks for the gift of giggles!
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As we get older, “It’s the thought that counts” carries try meaning. … Meanwhile, I await the day we combine Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
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Halloween costumed in a little love with the addition to Valentines Day of a little more uncertainty about human behavior – hey, it could work! Thanks for the consolidation plan
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That would a worthy challenge for the card makers.
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Nothing good comes easy – HAHA!
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I didn’t include this holiday on my blog poll last week and I’m feeling sad about that. I’ve never heard of it before, but I like it. Oh yes I do!
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Yes, sweet nothings! (And thanks for the idea!)
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To be honest, I don’t remember many of my childhood Christmas gifts, but there are a few, a very few that really counted and I’ll never forget them. So it’s really not about quantity, after all. It’s the thought that counts, the effort and love that went into them. As you just beautifully articulated. And yes, let’s combine some of these holidays!
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I remember stringing popcorn, making construction paper ornaments and chains, buying one new ornament each year – and unpacking them carefully each year remembering when they’re added – warm images of Dad reading Night before Christmas (and him tossing rocks on the roof ,..”it’s the reindeer – better get to bed quick!”) But presents, not really.
Thanks for decorating this comment tree
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Exactly! I love the rocks on the roof. Might have to do that this year for the grandson. 🙂
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Every kids should have someone who cares enough to do that!
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I’m thinking that Groundhog Day has to be added to your Valentine’s Day Extravaganza! –Curt
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How could I forget Groundhog Day! The perfect holiday mash-up additive! Thanks for that repeat.
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🙂
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My mother was so fond of gift wrapping, she got herself a job at a local department store wrapping presents. There were about a dozen women who rescued a multitude of men from the need to do wrapping, and believe me — they were grateful.
Our family tradition was passing those really cool package decorations — plastic, glitter covered pinecones and such — back and forth. NO package decoration ever was thrown away. Whoever received one would save it and put it on someone else’s package the next year. I still have two white, glittery holly-and-ivy tie-ons that traveled among family members for decades. Now, I just use them for decoration.
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I’d bung in Christmas, New Years and Queens Birthday holidays in with that Valentines day of yours too phil.
Too many holidays too much wasted time Bah Humbug,
That’s probably cos I’m retired and don’t get paid holidays, but they were great when I did 😈
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A gift of self is such a wonderful idea.
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