Originally I had planned to title this post "Four Crazy Things About the Holidays." Then I realized that the four things were (at least to ME) unexplained, and that fit so nicely with the overall theme of my brand-new blog, so I decided to begin a tradition of naming my posts using words that fit the "mystery" theme. We'll see how many I write before I run out of those words. Now...to those unsolved mysteries:
#1 Giant Inflatables. This odd phenomenon caught my eye back at Thanksgiving when I passed a storage company that displayed a giant inflatable turkey wearing a pilgrim suit. I couldn't help but think how strange it was that this should be a well-recognized symbol of gratitude. As the holidays have followed one almost on top of another on through New Year's, I have seen giant inflatable Santas, snowmen, and Winnie the Pooh and friends in sledding attire. The mystery? Why do people love these inflatables enough to purchase them, display them, and most especially, store them?
#2 Retail store music tracks. I think retailers would get more money out of me if I could stand to be in the store long enough to really shop. But by December 8th or so, I can't stand to hear one more version of "Santa Baby", "Grandma got run over by a reindeer", or "Jingle Bell Rock". I'm told (by very reliable sources) that retailers avoid playing actual Christmas music (i.e. "Silent Night" or any other tune that reveals the religious nature of Christmas) so as not to insult shoppers who may not celebrate the holiday or who do so without religious purposes. It seems very curious to me that these retail businesses should so carefully avoid mention of the real meaning of the holiday that is bringing in the much-needed end-of-the-year revenue.
#3 Mistletoe and Midnight. Briefly stated, the mystery here is, where did we get these made-up reasons for kissing? If I had time to investigate, I would love to find out who was the first man to tell a pretty girl that because they were standing directly under a particular plant, they simply had to kiss. And what girl fell for that? She must have wanted to.
#4 The Treat Trade. No, I'm not referring to fruitcake, though that is mysterious. I am speaking of the popular tradition where everyone makes homemade high-calorie goodies for their friends and neighbors, while pointing out that they themselves are on a diet and can't eat the goodies (but wish they could) and then they secretly snack on them anyway. Why do we do this? It's a mystery.
#3- Mistletoe mystery. I wonder if that tradition would continue if people really knew the origins. Mistletoe was once thought to have the power of fertility so they would hang it above the heads of a kissing newlywed couple, lol!
ReplyDeleteOooh--how interesting. I agree--people today would be less likely to want those powers.
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