Excessmas

USA Today on “Just Say No to Christmas”: Clueless

webmaster — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:35:54 +0000

USA Today had an article that was headed “Just Say No to Christmas?” in the online version. The article is clueless about how millions of people the world over celebrate Christmas.

Here’s the source of the problem: The writer seems to have defined “Christmas” as the secular celebration in December. Look closely at this, down in the article:

A Facebook search for “I hate Christmas” turns up dozens of results, including pages and posts from people who say they despise almost everything about Christmas: music, shopping, family gatherings, trees and lights.

Did you catch that? “Music, shopping, family gatherings, trees and lights” constitute “almost everything about Christmas.” There is utterly no mention of Christmas the religious holiday, despite the fact that millions celebrate it just that way.

Readers of this website know my solution to this kind of linguistic flabbiness: using “Excessmas” to refer to the secular celebration, while calling the religious holiday “Nativity.” The thing that all those Facebook users “hate” is Excessmas — the mandatory celebrations, the over-consumption and all the rest.

Get a clue. It doesn’t cost anything to celebrate the Nativity. Just look up at the stars and thank God for his gift. And if you prefer not to celebrate the Nativity, that’s fine in a nation of religious freedom and religious pluralism. Just don’t call the thing that oppresses you “Christmas.” It’s not. It’s Excessmas.

“Black Friday Creep”: not due to Christmas

webmaster — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:46:52 +0000

There are a lot of complaints about how Black Friday is creeping into Thanksgiving. I agree it’s a shame that store employees can’t even have all of Thanksgiving off — because of having to come in for midnight or 10 p.m. openings.I like the approach of Respect the Bird, holding off shopping until after November 24.

But “Black Friday Creep” is not a case of Christmas swallowing Thanksgiving, it’s a case of Excessmas swallowing Thanksgiving. “Excessmas” is the new word that designates the part of Christmas devoted to excess in shopping and spending. That’s the threat to Thanksgiving. The joyful, non-materialistic celebration of Christmas is no threat to Thanksgiving at all.

“Christmas Creep”: apt term for something creepy

webmaster — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:48:46 +0000

July ad for "early start" on Christmas

Have you heard of the term “Christmas Creep”? It refers to the ever-earlier kickoff of Christmas sales promotions — from early fall to late summer and even sooner in the year. Here’s an example: a flier from Pier 1 in July (yes, July!). For those of us who celebrate the Nativity as a joyful holiday, there is no need to go do a bunch of shopping and spending. “Christmas Creep” is creepy.

webmaster — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:00:25 +0000

Never too late
It’s never too late to have a more meaningful, less materialistic celebration of Christmas! Here are some tips on how to make the holiday a better time for you and those you love. You’ll have a better and more meaningful holiday if you keep your eyes on the Reason for the Season.

The off-season for “Christmas” shopping

webmaster — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:39:50 +0000

Every sport has an off-season, when competition is suspended and athletes get ready for the next year. In the same way, from January to the end of summer we are spared “Christmas” advertisements. This is a great time to get straight about what Christmas does and doesn’t mean. The part that’s about excess in everything — spending, partying, decorating — has nothing to do with the religious holiday Christmas. Here’s a link to the article that started my little movement to rename the secular part of the holiday “Excessmas.”

Is the term “Black Friday” unpleasant?

webmaster — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:12:52 +0000

In a word, yes. In other connections, “Black” in conjunction with a day denotes something sad or even tragic. For example, Black Monday of 1987 was a big stock market loss. Of course, the “Black” in “Black Friday” refers to how some stores go from being in the red to being in the black, making money, on that day. But still it’s unpleasant.

Some suggest using “Green Friday” for the shopping day after Thanksgiving, but that term is ambiguous, referring to several different movements. How about this: Call it the “start of the Excessmas shopping season,” since the shopping has only a minimal connection to the true meaning of Christmas.

Retail sales are not happiness

webmaster — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:02:21 +0000

The forecasts this year are for greater holiday season sales — but the amount of holiday happiness can be quite unconnected from retail sales. Here’s an example of what they’re saying. Now I don’t blame business reporters for doing their job, and so-called “Christmas season sales” are an important story. But the important fact is this: You can be happy without spending a lot and you can be sad even if you spend a lot. Here’s how you can help: Use the term “Excessmas” to refer to the part of the holiday season that’s just about excess in buying and consuming. Use “Christmas” or “Nativity” for the real thing.

Ten Tips for a Simpler More Meaningful Christmas

nolotto — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:01:57 +0000

Alternatives for Simpler Living has a dandy list here, starting with: “1. Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after Thanksgiving, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do and who’s going to do what.” Read the whole thing at http://www.newcelebrations.com/Advent_Tips.htm .

First sighting 2010

webmaster — Sat, 08 May 2010 11:50:29 +0000

The first sighting of 2010 “Christmas” merchandise occurred at our house in April. It’s a tree ornament in the colors of a certain big state university that has a lot of fans and alumni.

Why “Christmas” in quotes? Because it has nothing to do with the true Christmas holiday. Instead it’s another sign of “Excessmas,” the part of the holiday devoted to excess in indulgence and consumption. Don’t be fooled — you don’t need any of that for a joyous Christmas, and the sellers are being ungracious by starting in April.

No connection between sales, joy

webmaster — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:05:49 +0000

There is no connection between the strength of retail sales and the joy of Christmas. You can have a joyous Christmas in the worst of times; you can have a bad one in boom times. Notice how this article reflects the common and contrary view — the view that associates joy with spending. Will they ever get it? I don’t think so.