Crikey. It’s Christmastime. When in Sam hell did that happen? Now I have to shop, decorate, bake cookies (yeah right), and remember to move that flipping elf every night. Well, at least it’s that time of year when people have good will toward men, especially when pushing each other in the stores, flipping each other off when your parking space gets snagged, and road rage is at its finest. But on the bright side, the City of Brotherly Love has an endless supply of goings-on to appease any Scrooge.
One of my favorite things to do with the spawn during the holidays, besides threatening them with a phone call to Santa when they misbehave, is to take them to Macy’s for the Grand Court light show and Dickens village. If you can deal with customers getting in your way (how dare they try to shop…sheesh), I highly recommend this. I also remember taking them to Reading Terminal afterwards for a bite to eat. While it’s probably just the Jersey Girl in me, I must say that I find this place scary. You throw me into a roomful of Amish and I start shaking. And my personal nightmare didn’t end there, as I remember being solicited by a “God loving” preacher outside of the terminal, who told me I was a sinner and going to hell because I didn’t take his pamphlet, in which I responded, “awesome, because I’m freezing!” Moving on…
Luckily, one does not have to put much thought into planning a “fa la la la la” fantastic evening. Walnut Street Theater performs their rendition of “The Nutcracker,” Comcast has their “Christmas Spectacular,” and Franklin Square is hosting pictures with the big man himself every Saturday until December 23rd, just to name a few. There is literally so much to do and see, it’s like Santa and the Elves came and threw up Christmas all over the city! (Classy analogy, I know ;p)
But in all seriousness, the holidays are an amazing time of year and one of reflection. As the New Year draws closer, one must truly try to remember that it’s not about what you get, what name brand you buy or what deals you scored, but the love and humanity you give to others. While these few weeks are typically festive for most, for many others, they may be a very trying, emotional time. So if you don’t have that extra dollar to donate, try putting a smile on someone’s face; it’s free and so easy to do. If the Grinch can do it, so can you.
Apparently I’m Dr. Seuss.
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