The question.

Ah. New years. Everyone back to work.

I try to keep things pretty light on here, but many people that know me in my professional life know I’m a firm believer in Festivus when it comes to broader society.

There’s always been something about Christmas in the wider sense that has always bothered me. (obviously Halloween is my favorite) And I do enjoy Christmas with the family. However, Christmas as a season really, really gets on my nerves.

Getting in my car this morning reminded me why, as we are left with one last blast of that Christmas cheer.

The question.

Holidays seem to largely revolve around questions.

For all the talk of the Christmas spirit, and peace on earth, good will toward men…what question always gets asked leading up to Christmas?

“What do you want?”

Yes, there are those that this is not the meaning to Christmas, but it is THE QUESTION we are asked ad nauseam. From the TV, to the co-worker, to the random person you get chatting with. It is THE conversation piece that dominates the season.

So it is this, the first working day of the year, we get that question slightly rephrased. “So, what did you GET?”

First thing, blasting out the radio. And the answers range from cute and humble to some attempt to display superiority in gift receipt, like any competition.

There are a lot of things that flow through the Christmas season that tend to wear on me, making my joy of the season lessened. Perhaps none more so than this question.

Halloween has it’s own question, however.

“What do you want TO BE?”

I find this one infinitely more interesting than the one asked at Christmas.