Contemplating the Simple Pleasures of the Holidays

During the holidays, most reflect and recollect on the year past, contemplating the people and things in life that bring them joy and happiness. I, for one, love the holiday season, and it's because of several things.

First and foremost, I have to talk about holiday lights and decorations. To me, one of the most entertaining simple pleasures is driving around town looking at holiday displays. Whether it's a professional exhibition at a local park or rec center, or a homemade Clark Griswold-like display, seeing buildings and landscaping all dolled up for the season makes me smile. Checking out these festivals of light is a great way to usher in the holidays. The only other thing you need is some holiday tunes on the radio. Which leads me to...

Holiday music is another thing, for better or worse, that I really enjoy. Usually starting right after Thanksgiving, you'll hear it everywhere - in stores, at parties, on the radio, repeating in your head. Sure, it annoys some (especially anyone who rides in my car in December), but, to me, it's a sheer delight. Not that I'll listen to just any holiday song and love it, but there's a lot of particular ditties that are simply marvelous.

You haven't heard "Blue Christmas" or "Here Comes Santa Claus" unless you've heard Elvis Presley's versions. Or, for that matter, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Eartha Kitt purring her way through "Santa Baby," or "Sleigh Ride" by Jim Nabors (Who knew Gomer Pyle had such a great singing voice?). And don't get me started on artists' original holiday songs. "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" by Neil Diamond, anyone? Or, for those who like their holidays a little racier, Eazy-E's "Merry Muthaf-ckin' Xmas," perhaps?

So, you've got the lights, you've got the music, what's next? Snow. Piles and piles of pure, white snow. Yes, icy roads, treacherous traffic and excessive snowfalls can be awful nightmares, but there's really nothing quite like the sight of freshly fallen snow covering the neighborhood. Hey, they didn't make the song "White Christmas" for nothing. Still not convinced? Then allow me to paint you a picture:

December 5, 2003. It's a Friday and the day before my birthday, and I'm sleeping in since I took a personal day off of work. I awake in excitement for what festivities the weekend will hold. I look out the window and there it is - the first snowfall of the year covering my street in a soft, white blanket. It was a gorgeous birthday gift from Mother Nature. I'm sure a lot of people complained about the snow that day, but I was thrilled. It got my birthday and my weekend off to great starts.

Another good thing about snow is that you can play in it. I'm not much of a skier or snowboarder, but I love snowball fights, making snowmen and snow angels and sled riding. Juvenile? I guess so. Unadulterated, pure enjoyment? Absolutely! If you're able-bodied and -minded, and you can't bring yourself to go out and frolic in the snow, then I just feel sorry for you.

Moving back indoors, another thing that I love about the holidays is the wide-eyed wonderment you see in children. Their anticipation and excitement is infectious. You can just feel it building during the weeks leading up to the holidays. Seeing the kids take it all in and revel in it always warms my heart. I really enjoy spending time with the children in my family, too, both as they await their bounties and when they happily tear into those packages. I like playing with the toys, too. What can I say? I am and always will be a kid at heart.

Finally, and, most importantly, my favorite part of the holidays is the gathering of friends and families. Some people dread the yearly family get-together, but, no matter how crazy your family is, being among loved ones is always comforting. Besides being with treasured family members, old friends often reunite around the holidays, giving the "old crew" a chance (or two, or three) to relive the good old days.

So, there you have it. My sappy rendition of what Christmas means to me. I hope some of you read this and find joy in my words, and I hope others are inspired to find happiness in places they didn't before. I also hope all of you have wonderful holidays and safe and prosperous New Years.