As I got closer, I realized that the Santa cap was actually on the skull of a skeleton being the wreath. The skull had big old alien eye sockets, while the hand was holding a large ornament with a straw attached, as if it was drinking from it. I guess they didn't, or couldn't, take the skeleton down from Halloween, so they just repurposed it. That is what happens with all of those people who put up the giant ten and fifteen foot skeletons in their yards and want to get more mileage from their money. Yet, think of the message this Jeep owner is sending. "Sorry kids, but Santa died last year from drinking and driving. Don't worry though. He will still be delivering your gifts this year, only as an undead minion."
The confusion of holidays continued into Walmart. I was walking down an aisle in the seasonal section. One side was Halloween candy on clearance, and the other side was being stocked with Christmas candy. Now, aside from some differences in shape and flavor, most of the candy is exactly the same for the two holidays. The only difference is in the packaging. Black, orange, and purple for Halloween, and red, white, and green for Christmas. Tell that to a kid, though. "I want new candy!" "But we have candy at home, dear." "That candy's old!" "It is from Halloween, just last week." "I want Christmas candy, not that old yucky stuff!" "You were stuffing your face with it just this morning." "I WANT NEW CANDY!" "I don't know why I even married you, sometimes."
Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. It's the one time of year that I can walk through the toy department without thinking people will look at me and think I'm a creep. It's more "Oh, look. He's shopping for Christmas presents for his kids." (As I can pass for someone ten to fifteen years younger, at least from a distance. Doubt anyone would say grandchildren, like some people I know.) Instead of, "See how that pathetic man is just wandering about, looking for the nostalgia and lost innocence." At least I'm not actually buying the toys, just looking at them for the nostalgia and lost innocence. I just don't want people thinking that.
And in all of this holiday confusion, Thanksgiving gets lost. Sure, there is the occasional giant turkey inflatable, but there really isn't much in the way for Thanksgiving decorations. I saw one turkey that had silverware and a bib that said "Let's eat!" on it. Way to promote cannibalism, dude. No, for Thanksgiving, all of the focus is on the food. Maybe some special dinnerware or centerpieces, but that's it. Stores already have their food specials out. For instance, there are the gallon jugs of cooking oil, for those who want to deep fry their turkeys, or burn their house down. Or both. Walmart also had bags of croutons for sale in the bakery. You have to make sure you have your already stale bread three weeks ahead of schedule for your stuffing. Or dressing. Or whatever else it can be called. Choose one word for it already.
There are also all the new limited-edition food products coming out. For instance, Coke has a new 'Holiday Creamy Vanilla" flavor for Christmas, that is somehow different from their regular vanilla flavor. Now, I hate Coke. Always have. I'm a Dr Pepper fan, ever since I was a kid. Yes, I was the weird kid back then. I still am, and proud of it. However, my mom loves Vanilla Coke, so I can a few bottles to try. Strangely enough, I didn't puke when I tasted it. I instantly could taste the vanilla, but that was about it. I didn't detect any holiday-type extra flavoring. No warming spices. No mint of any kind. No pine needles being shoved down my throat. I also didn't taste anything creamy either. Of course, the label said there wasn't any dairy included, so what type of cream did they mean? For there are a lot of types of cream I don't want near my mouth.
My mom didn't like it at first, which is typical. If I even barely like something new or different, she won't like it, and vice versa. She slightly turned around after trying some super ice cold, but we will see what happens with a second bottle. Maybe she will end up more confused about the holidays.
That's all for tonight. Catch me back here next week.
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