It’s that time again for me to wax quixotic about a make-believe holiday started by a television series.

As I have said before, I was never a big fan of Seinfeld, but I swear this holiday makes more sense to me every year. I had a heck of a time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Mainly due to my being too busy, and even gift buying, which I normally adore, felt like a chore this year.

I think there were two other contributing factors to the problem though. The first being my oh-so-mysterious friend, “M”, who hates people buying her gifts. “If you buy me a gift, so help me, I’ll punch you in the face.” (She’s a tad on the violent side…) So I’m making her a gift that costs me absolutely $0, and I have to say… I’m enjoying it. For all these years, when I would hear people say it’s so much more rewarding, I thought “Yeah, great way to excuse your cheapness…”, but they weren’t wrong! I’ve enjoyed every second I’ve put in to it. (and no I won’t reveal what it is since she swings by somtimes)

And then there’s the recent acqaintence I made from India, we’ll call her QBG, who is a practicing Hindu. Naturally they don’t celebrate Christmas, and she was telling me the other night over Gtalk how much it amazes her to see us all running around in a panic during this time of year. I have to say I’m beginning to agree with her.

Yes, I am a retailer, I have a place in this monstrosity that is called “Christmas Shopping”, and for that reason alone I don’t want to see it go away. It would be nice though to see a return to those more family-style moments Norman Rockwell painted so well. True, they were idealistic, but isn’t that kind of the point?

Maybe Festivus isn’t such a bad idea. Okay, we can skip “The Feats of Strength” portion, but at least the focus was on the family getting together and being together.