Happy International Poinsettia Day & Worldwide Candle Lighting Day

I would not hesitate to hazard a guess that in any household celebrating Christmas this year they already have one of the following: a fully decorated Christmas tree, garland, lights, animated Christmas paraphernalia on their front lawn, Christmas applications on their phones, perpetual Christmas music playing, and probably many other ritual I haven't even heard of. (Note: I will never resort to having a Christmas themed, rug-hooked toilet seat cover... apologies if you own one, I'm sure it looks lovely.)

Every year right before Hallowe'en, the same complaints can be heard: "They were playing Christmas music in the store today!" or "the store had Christmas decorations right next to the Hallowe'en ones!" How early is too early? It's good to be prepared, but seriously? I adore Christmas and all that it entails as much as the next Hoo from Hooville but I am a stickler when it comes to putting the tree and decorations up... not before mid-December. After all it is the "12 Days of Christmas" and that encompasses the days leading up to January 6th (Epiphany, by the way... when the wise men made it to the manger) . It's for this reason I try to keep the hype down until mid-month, because technically I should only start "celebrating" on Christmas Eve!! However, all who know me, know I'm organised and an over-planner and must be thinking "but you wont get everything done in a day!" You're correct. And it's for this reason I like to have my cards done early December, and I have my baking and meals planned, plus any gifts I need to make or order are done by now... I am a realist, but that doesn't mean I have to acknowledge it's Christmas. That's my chosen coping mechanism.

As we approached the day I consider it OK to start decorating, I was in the car with Mum and we heard the announcer on the radio (on the 24 hr/day Christmas radio station) tell the listeners about a prize to help them "celebrate Christmas", right after they played "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" sung for the billionth time by the Jackson 5. Mum then asked "what are people celebrating?" A good question, I thought.

I guess what went through my mind when I read what the observances were for today was linked with Mum's question. For some, Christmas is a dark time: no family, troubles with family, no money, no home, stress, or loneliness. The image of bringing the light of a candle into people's homes is a powerful one. Winter is a dark month, so any extra light: Christmas lights, candles, fireplaces, etc., all help us last through the long dark nights. The poinsettia also marries in well with the candle. Plants are new life that needs nurturing and care. I like to think of plants as an example of how little effort it takes to make a very large impact on the life of another living being. Wouldn't it be nice to take that example and use it in the big world? Make someone your poinsettia over the holidays. Bring them the proverbial light of a candle when you make them visit, or bring them some fruit cake. Christmas isn't all bells and treats for people, so if we are lucky enough to have more than two candles worth of light in your life there's enough to share!