Gloating Day

It's an annual tradition here in my family. Gloating Day.

Traditionally celebrated on December 24th, but moved up to the 23rd since we now go to my sister's house every year on the day before Christmas, Gloating Day is a non-denominational "holiday" that's open to absolutely every person of any creed, color, race, religion, gender, or species, so long as they do not need to buy presents on the day before Christmas (either because they've finished their shopping, or because they don't have any to buy in the first place).

The way we celebrate this most unique of holidays? We drive to the mall, get a cup of coffee (Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha is my drink of choice), find a nice place to sit in a busy part of the mall and . . . tastefully . . . gracefully . . . discreetly . . . gloat. Gloat over the people manically running around, trying to get their last-minute shopping done. Gloat over the crazed hordes trying to fight their way through the crowds. Gloat over the people trying to see over their huge armfuls of shopping bags, trying to push strollers of cranky children. Just, in general, gloat that we're done, and they're not.

Doesn't that sound festive? The rules are really quite simple.

1. You must have all your shopping for presents done. (Wrapped and ready to go is encouraged but not required.)
2. You may not buy any gifts during Gloating, but you may buy something for yourself (if it's worth the struggle to the cash register).
3. And . . . while more a suggestion than a rule . . . it's recommended you gloat quietly so as not to find yourself involved in fisticuffs with frustrated shoppers who, apparently, have lost sight of the meaning of Christmas.

What's that? Gloating doesn't seem very Christmas-like to you?

Well, the thing is that we're not so much gloating over the people who work hard and are just trying to make sure their kids are happy Christmas morning, or have one last thing to buy. Or even the people who like to wait until the 24th to do their shopping because it makes them feel more "Christmas-y." (My father is one of those misguided souls.) Those people have our sympathy while we pity them their lack of planning-ahead.

No, the people we're really gloating over are the scrooges who make the season so miserable. The ones fighting over the X-Box or whatever the "hot" toy of the moment is. Fighting over spaces in the parking lot. Shoving other shoppers out of the way for a "deal."

See, what I love best about this time of year--whether it's Christmas you celebrate, or one of the other equally good holidays (you certainly have enough to choose from in December!)--what I love best is that it's a season of fellowship and good-will. You don't have to tell me--I know there are raving lunatics and plenty of bah-humbug, get-out-of-my-way people out there. It can get dangerous out there. (Just ask Eunny.) But these people are mistaken. They're wrong.

The December Holiday Season should not be about wild, consumer-driven excess, but it SHOULD be about loving, giving, and sharing. ("Should" being the operative word.) I love the chance to buy the people I love the perfect gift each year (or as close to perfect as I can manage). I love that it's a day of gift-giving where nobody in the family is left out--unlike birthdays. Because, sure, everybody's turn at birthdays comes around, and it's fun to have a special day of your own, but at Christmas, everyone gets a gift. Everyone gets to share in that warm, gifted glow. And, most importantly, everyone gets to give something as well. I love getting presents as much as the next person, and while it's not the only point of this season, that sharing-thing is part of what makes it so special to me.

I love a chance to buy or make something special for my loved ones, a chance to show them that they ARE my loved ones, and to get that reassurance back. Because it's not about the quantity of gifts. It's not about getting a CD or a book you could easily have picked up for yourself. It's about the expression of showing your family and friends how much they mean to you by finding them just what they would have wanted, even if they didn't know they did. The pair of earrings she'll love but would never have bought herself. The extra warm hat in his favorite sports team's colors. The coffee table book that she'll adore. The movie to bring out the kid inside. Things that prove that you love them enough to find just the right gift, not what was most expensive, or "hottest" this season. That's where people err (and why they deserve to be gloated over). That's where they lose sight of the specialness of having a holiday that's all about giving gifts. Because it's not the actual gift (nice though they are). It's the thought, the knowledge, and the love that inspired you to pick the gift--just for that person, and no-one else.

The people who have turned it into commercial free-for-alls--who have taken over the stores' decor, the radio airwaves, and practically every television station--who have turned the entire month of December into some crazy marathon of shopping, cookies, and "holiday" chaos, and who make something as simple as a trip to the bookstore for something to read a massive headache . . . those are the people over whom we gloat.

Because, what WE are doing on the day before Christmas? Relaxing. Drinking coffee. Having some laughs. Enjoying each others' company. Looking forward to the festivities of the day ahead. Enjoying the season. Please feel free to welcome our tradition into your family. Joy to the World, brought to you one little Gloat at a time.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy Hannukah. Happy Kwanzaa. Bright Solstice . . . whatever holiday you're celebrating this month, enjoy the season.

Comments

[Bethe]

Well said about gift giving and the thoughts of loving, giving, and sharing behind it, Deb. As far as Gloating Day...I love it!! I think I will have to take a trip to the mall tomorrow. It'll feel really good to just sit back and enjoy that I am not one of them. Merry Christmas to you, Chappy, and your loved ones!

[Nancy J]

Sounds like a great tradition to me! Merry Christmas!

[Carole]

Happy Gloating Day and Merry Christmas!

[Lorette]

Merry Christmas to you also, Deb! I can gloat too, though I just barely made it under the wire. I finished the last of my shopping last night.

[Jess]

Sounds like a great tradition to me ;o)

[minnie]

well, i didn't finish my shopping until about 1/2 hour ago (2 last minute gifts, one of which i didn't know was needed until i talked to my daughter, lol) but i did not cut anyone off in traffic, or yell at anyone (unless they cut me off, lol), or step on toes. i even wished every clerk/waiter/helper merry christmas. can i assume that means i am not a gloatee?

merry christmas to you and yours, deb, and thanks for being such a good friend

[Norma]

Amen, Deb! And Yay for gloating. ;-)

[Risa]

I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas! I celebrated Gloating day on the 23rd at Garden State Plaza. Having delivered all my gifts to the kids school, along with them, I headed to the mall and bought myself a bit of stuff. I smiled as those around me hustled and bustled for just shy of last minute gifts. I didn't snicker too loudly as my hands were still recovering from the push to get all the gifts knit!

Anyway.. a very happy and healthy holiday to you.. and a scritch for Chappy.

[Jessica]

I love Gloating day! The family and I celebrated it a bit in our own way here by taking a trip to the bookstore just to browse and watch the crowds search for last minute presents! We didn't buy a thing although I did run across a book I would have loved to have but I restrained myself. I really can't say much since the hubby did all the Christmas shopping - all I had to do was wrap! Merry Christmas to you and yours - I hope it's a great one.