“All right, you guys, just permit me one sentimental moment here, will you? I have something to say. Christmas: it’s not the giving, it’s not the getting, it’s the loving. There, I said it. Now get outta here.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday season. We see the shopping malls bustling with people, scrambling to find those last minute gifts. We see children begging their parents for the hottest toy of the year, only to see those same toys discarded and collecting dust mere days later.
I’ll be the first to admit that I can be just as guilty of this. You might remember that I posted my 2012 Christmas wish list earlier this month. However, I have to agree that the giving and getting are not the most important parts of the Christmas season. It’s about getting together with your loved ones and sharing some precious memories.
The line above comes from A Garfield Christmas, a television special that originally aired in 1987. We normally associate Garfield with sleeping, eating lasagna and mailing Nermal to Abu Dhabi, but he can have his sentimental moments too. When he’s not too busy kicking Odie off the table, he’s receiving a special back scratcher from his canine companion.
And he’s giving Grandma Arbuckle a gift that money simply cannot buy. As you may recall, Garfield found some old love letters that the late Grandpa Arbuckle once wrote to Grandma Arbuckle several decades ago. He gave these to Grandma and she couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s really heart-touching. If you haven’t watched this Christmas special in a while, I encourage you to take those 20-30 minutes to do it. I’m sure you can find it online somewhere.
Arguably, the commercialism of the holiday season is unavoidable. Even so, before you go out and spend a bunch of money on things that really don’t matter all that much, consider giving to those in need instead. Love your family and your friends, but remember to love your fellow man too. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes.
Happy holidays, everyone. Enjoy a safe festive season and a prosperous new year.
Isn’t kinda weird that I said just about the same thing yesterday when commenting about Santa Claus and his meaning?
I did pre-write this before your comment, but yes, it is a common theme around the holidays as a strike against the prevalent commercialism of the season.
I knew you pre-write, and didn’t think you were using the thought. It just struck me as so coincidental. But, as you say, it is what Christmas should be. Not the commercialism that it has been for a long time.
I remember the old Garfield cartoons, my most lasting memory of it was the Halloween Special.