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July 7, 2006
Whose Holidays are They Anyways?
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Not a month goes by that I don't hear someone make a comment that holidays are the creations of greeting card companies and retailers who conspire to take our money. Often called Hallmark Holidays, many folks seem to think that holidays are founded in corporate greed.
How cynical.
Sure, many 'holidays' are not recognized by the US government as legal days off from work. In more official terms, days such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day etc, are more like widely celebrated occasions. And true, some 'holidays' are not even widely celebrated, but celebrated by only a few -- or, to many of us, are only just dates noted on calendars (quite often made by the same folks who bring you greeting cards). But while these 'holidays' may seem to be a con to get you to commit additional crimes of consumerism in a world already full of sinful spending, is that what these days are really about?
Holidays were created by people. Not consumer-driven people who want to stick their hands in our pocketbooks, but people who want to make sure opportunities are not lost to us. Holidays were created by people, for people, so that we'd have reason to celebrate things we'd otherwise take for granted.
Some holidays celebrate people and relationships. Days like Granparents Day remind us to appreciate the folks who gave us cookies, taught us to fish, and those people who first took our side in a disagreement with our parents. It's not just about Grandma's own birthday, the celebration of her as a person, but a day to remember her for her role in our lives. Participation in Valentine's Day isn't an exercise in economic excess, but a chance to honor your partner. This day serves as a reminder for us not to overlook the one person we likely can't afford to lose.
Some holidays mark events. Without Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and National Women's History Month, would we stop our whining and complaining, and make the time to be thankful for what we do have? Would we stop our activist ways long enough to remember all those who fought for the freedoms we do have? Probably not.
Other holidays note things and events which seem trivial. But even strange holidays such as Chocolate Pudding Day, Ugly Truck Contest Day, and National Hugging Day offer us riches. By inviting others to celebrate with us, we all get a chance to share smiles, spend time with one another, slow down for a moment, and create memories. These charming and quirky little holidays offer big reminders: Enjoy your loved ones. It's not the silly holidays themselves, but the opportunity to connect and celebrate with others which matters.
Observe any of the seemingly silly holidays we often mention here, and you have an excuse to celebrate. Sweet treats, smiles, flowers, memories, balloons, cards, trinkets, hugging friends and family -- even ugly trucks -- what can be wrong with all that?
Posted by photocartoonist at July 7, 2006 1:23 PM