Today is December 1 and the countdown and flurry and hurry to December 25 begins in earnest. WHY? 

_{Christmas in August would be a lot less stress!} 

Now that we have entered a new millennium, I think it’s time we re-visited holiday times and dates. I’m not advocating doing away with any, just moving them to a more common sense, post-industrial modern-technological date. Beginning with Christmas. 

Christmas should, I believe, be moved to August. And for the following reasons:

Most religious and secular scholars agree that Christ was not born around December but some time in the late autumn. And is the date really more important than the sentiment?

December, for a technological population such as ours that now measures in the millions and millions is, for most of the country, a deplorable month to travel. And we have become a transient society where travel is mandatory. And not just over the river to grandma’s. It’s across the continent.

There are no major holidays in August. And it is the month of vacations, anyway. More people would drive to grandma’s house in August than fly. Airports and other terminals wouldn’t be so chaotic. Traveling would be more pleasurable.

Christmas in December is too close to New Year’s Eve, and not far enough behind Thanksgiving for a required breather. (I think if men had to do all the cooking, shopping, cleaning, and preparations, it would be moved to August. Or just be forgotten all together.)

Schools would not have to shut down for several weeks of “Christmas Vacation.” Parents wouldn’t have to worry about unwatched children and rearranging schedules.

Schools could get out in May instead of June. If Christmas were in August, students could begin the school year with new gear.

It’s easier to put up Christmas decorations when the weather is warm, not to mention taking them down. And because of daylight-savings, outdoor lights would not have to be on as long thus decreasing consumer consumption and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

In August, there is more fresh produce and vegetables. People could picnic or barbecue for Christmas. And screaming kids wouldn’t be stuck indoors. With screaming adults. We could have fresh-cut flowers instead of fresh-cut trees.

It’s just more pleasant to shop in the summer, and one wouldn’t have to spend it in an indoor mall. 

Those who wish to celebrate the winter solstice, (the real reason we have Christmas in December) would be free to do so.

New Year’s could become more prominent complete with winter gift giving, if one so chose instead of being a day to finish Christmas leftovers (which, for some, would include guests and family).

Statistically, suicides increase during the holidays. If Christmas were in August, that sad fact would decrease. It’s hard to feel depressed or lonely in sunny August. Rather than kill oneself, it would be easier to go to the beach or take a walk, think it over, and come back happy. 

If you agree that Christmas should be in August, please write to your Congressman/woman, the president of the United States, the pope, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and/or anyone else with pull. Either real or imagined.

Thank you.

P.S. I did hear from Mr. Santa Claus and he said he doesn't care one way or the other since where he lives it's always colder than hell.

_{(c) Gary T. Czerwinski 2010}