Wish list starts with less commercialization of holiday

It would be wonderful to say that the joy of the season has made this author content to simply give, wanting nothing in return.

But that would be disingenuous, since I do want things this Christmas.

So here is a columnist’s wish list, part Scrooge, part Santa:

I wish … Christmas was less commercial, the way it used to be.

That sentiment isn’t rooted in naivete, since shopping and presents will always be part of the season.

But the material aspect of Christmas has taken on a life of its own, obliterating the message of this most special time of year.

It has gotten to the point where merchandise commercialization has monopolized the entire month of December — and, truth be told, much earlier than that, as it isn’t uncommon to see holiday displays starting in early fall, forsaking Thanksgiving.

And that is a tragedy, because we should take a lesson from Turkey Day.

Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving has no expectations of presents, parties and pageants. Instead, it is the one true day in America where family and friends gather to reflect, remember, rejoice — and revel in simply being with one another.

More often than not, the result is a holiday that rekindles the soul and fosters the spirit of goodwill heading into Christmas.

But much of that fellowship evaporates with the onslaught of Black Friday and a rat race that doesn’t let up.

Stores are packed, traffic is a nightmare, and we run so hard in pursuit of all the wrong things that we forget the true meaning of Christmas — often becoming snarling Grinches that bring out the worst in ourselves, making the words “Merry Christmas” utterly hollow. Eliminating those stresses is impossible. But maybe, just maybe, if we relegated commercialization to the backseat a little bit in favor of family-oriented activities — board games in front of the fire, roasting S’mores together, driving around to see Christmas lights, all without cellphones — the spirit that made Christmas night so special 2,020 or so years ago would once again take center stage and imbue deeper meaning into our lives.

Speaking of presents, I wish … Christmas would also become more personalized, like actually putting thought into gift-buying. It is incredible how many have “no idea” what to get a family member or close friend.

So, after about 10 seconds of “thought,” the default present becomes a gift card or booze. Those things, in and of themselves, are not “bad” gifts, but if we’re being honest, they are often the go-to because they’re the easy way out.

Put another way, it’s an indictment of our priorities when we don’t know the people closest to us well enough to buy them a meaningful gift.

Worse yet are when people — especially those in a Pollyanna — immediately call the spouse of the person they picked, asking exactly what they want.

So come gift time, the recipient already knows precisely what she’s unwrapping. Seriously? What’s the point?

If we can’t stop binge-watching long enough to put effort into choosing a gift that fits a person’s tastes, then maybe such gift-giving should go the way of the dodo. That way, at least we would save time, money and effort — and not pretend to be surprised.

There is nothing in the world like a child opening gifts — each one a new surprise — on Christmas morning.

So if we fondly remember those feelings of elation and wonderment, why have we allowed our “adult” selves to ruin the spirit of Christmas gift-giving and receiving? Here’s hoping that Santa’s magic jogs the memory for what gift-giving was meant to be.

I wish … people would take five seconds to actually sign their Christmas cards, giving that almost-extinct gift called personal interaction.

And given that many routinely wait in drive-thru lines that are 10 cars deep (or more), it isn’t like we don’t have the time.

In an age where everything is electronic and 90 percent of coffee shop patrons look down at their phones instead of talking with the person across from them, taking the time to give a personal touch reignites faith that we haven’t completely lost that most unparalleled trait: our humanity.

I wish … people going to church on Christmas could leave the Eagles jerseys at home, just once, and don something a bit more appropriate to enter God’s house on the holiest day of the year

Not to sound like a holy roller, but, really, you can’t find something better?

However, a caveat. If all you have is a 1999 Christmas sweater, well, by all means, wear Eagles green.

I wish … people would take a step back and realize that America is infinitely stronger than political vitriol would have us believe.

President Barack Obama didn’t “destroy America,” as was forecast by many Republicans upon his election, just as the U.S. didn’t turn into a dictatorship beholden to Russia when Donald Trump took the helm.

And we will still be the “City On A Shining Hill” during, and after, President Joe Biden’s presidency.

It’s not just OK to disagree with our leaders, but healthy, so long as we do so respectfully, with well thought-out positions.

But being obsessed with agenda-driven political newsfeeds, and working ourselves into tizzies simply because we don’t like the results of an election or policy, will rot us away at the core.

Too many friendships and family bonds have been decimated — with decades of personal histories wiped from memory — simply because people couldn’t “agree to disagree” civilly.

At that point, it doesn’t much matter who “wins” a legislative victory or triumphs at the ballot box, because when we refuse to see ourselves as Americans first and partisans second, we all lose.

Here’s hoping Santa puts some humility under the tree so that the Yuletide spirit remains with us throughout 2023. There could be no better gift.