CHRISTMAS DECORATING WITH THE GRINCH (Or, Leave That Stuff in the Attic)*

I've heard some adore

Green, red, gold, galore

For whom Christmas decorating

is never a chore

They draw from great boxes

Their holiday treasures

Setting off on a weekend of

House-trimming pleasures.

Their efforts accompanied by

Nonstop Yule carols

Movies with Ralphie

And even Will Ferrell.

They climb up on ladders to string colored lights

That tickle their fancy, bring glow to the night

Run copious wires, and though it's debatable,

Think Jesus might like their manger inflatable.

Do it all!

Build creche!

Add in Rudolph for zest

Forget not the goal of this holiest quest:

Surely this year, your yard will be best.

But to you who abhor the holiday static,

Whose efforts at Christmas are not automatic

Please trust me, it's fine, it's quite democratic

To eschew decorating, let the neighbors go at it.

See....

The tinsel, the tree, the lights and the wreath

To me are just reasons for gritting my teeth.

And though christmases past may hold scenes I adore,

Recreating through stuff is a truly fraught chore.

So....

Stir up the fire

Mix up a cocktail

Let go of the phone

Forget about Email

Just sit on your ass

And put up your feet

Put on a good buzz,

And after me repeat:

If this Christmas thing

Is all about spirit

I’m probably not

Going to see it or hear it

But feel it I may

If I work hard enough

And focus on people

Instead of the schtuff

I can do that quite well

From my chair by the fire

Without gaudy layers

Of Santa attire

Without being crass or

Overly dramatic

Without casting aspersions on

The Christmas “fanatic”

Let me be clear,

Or even emphatic—

It’s OK to leave

All that stuff in the attic

*(Note: I intend this as entertainment, not judgement. (Well, except for inflatables. I have a real issue with inflatables, but the therapy is progressing well.)  Please know I celebrate you and your holiday traditions and wish you great joy in the coming weeks and throughout the year.)