‘Tis the Season

‘Tis the season indeed and I know it because the expeditious commercialism of the holidays has begun. Christmas merchandise is everywhere. Retail stores have had their wares out since mid- October, hot and heavy, well before Thanksgiving. I know I complain about it every year but every year it’s the same scenario and it’s still bothersome.

I have grown accustomed to the merchandise being presented because you can buy it or not but what annoys me now is the Christmas music over the store airwaves. Now don’t get me wrong I love music and I adore Christmas tunes, they can be a real moodsetter. I usually dig out my favorite Christmas music compact discs mid-November to get me in holiday cheer.

Currently they include a two-disc soul collection my brother-in-law Ronnie loaned/gave me a few years ago. The collection includes the famed Temptations’ rendition of Silent Night which ends with the message of “Merry Christmas from the Temptations” in the deep bass voice of treasured group member Melvin Franklin. When I hear that song I know it’s Christmas. Then there is Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song which pleases my ears and heart to no end. And you can’t listen to holiday tunes without some Donny Hathaway.

Then there is my women’s only disc collection of Christmas tunes that features Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Eartha Kitt, Reba McIntire, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton and Destiny’s Child. Now that’s my favorite CD and sometimes I find myself digging it out beyond the holiday season. Between’s Clarkson’s O Holy Night and Carey’s All I Want for Christmas sometimes I forget I am in the car.

Now those aforementioned store Christmas tunes is what can be bothersome so soon in the season because usually they are not even the good classic stuff by the legends they are playing but weirdly arranged songs by some cover artists who are not that great. For example, a couple of weeks ago I heard a rendition of Smokey Robinsons’ Cruisin’ that was performed as a male/female duet. I didn’t even realize what song it was until the last few chords.

I know the psychology of retail stores is to keep the customer happy and relaxed during their shopping experience and music is a great enabler of that. But if you want the customer happy, play some good music that will not only please the listener but may actually keep them shopping longer hence leading to increased purchases. Just a thought.

Good music or not, the celebrated season of thanks and giving is upon us. Our mere existence from day-to-day, whether good or bad, and those of our loved ones is something to be thankful every single day. And to be honest thinking of others in need and “spreading good cheer” should be things we do every season, not just in November and December.

This holiday season will be the second such without my dad and though it feels a little easier, he is still very much missed. Enjoy your holidays with your loved ones and be grateful for what the Almighty has placed within your reach.