by Elaine Ernst Schneider
"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air, there's a feeling like Christmas...."
Ho, ho, ho, Garth. Sing some more. "Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city." I'm hearing those "Silver Bells" and smiling as I enjoy Garth Brooks' The Magic of Christmas CD. That's it, Garth. Tell me about the lights. "Strings of street lights, even stop lights, blink a bright red and green." Okay. Now I'm in the mood.
The month has been packed with things to do, not a minute to stop and enjoy the season until this very moment. Hot chocolate is on the stove. Decorations are finally in place. Time to pop in my Lonestar CD while I string popcorn for the tree. "If Everyday Could be Christmas" is from Lonestar's This Christmas Time recording:
"Christmas lights up the city,
Roof tops covered in snow;
Lovers sharing a sleigh ride cuddled close
And their eyes seem to glow.
Window shopping on main street…"
Shopping? Did they just say shopping? Egad! I'd better get with it. There's Aunt Susan and my parents, of course. My two children. My husband's family. I should have remembered George Strait's song, "Merry Christmas Strait to You." Why didn't I catch the hint? "It's Christmas time. I see the lines of people everywhere, trying to pick out the gifts that show how much they care." Oh, dear. I shouldn't have waited until the last minute. So much for stringing popcorn.
Not Buying It
I'm almost out the door when the CD player clicks and Mariah Carey begins to sing. "I don't want a lot for Christmas," the song's lyrics reveal, "I don't care about presents underneath the Christmas tree." She's got my attention. "All I want for Christmas is you." The car keys are in my hand, my wallet in the other. I pause to reflect. Mariah's Merry Christmas CD is terrific, and if she doesn't want Christmas presents, maybe I can convince the kids...no. They'll never buy it. On Donner, on Blitzen! And where is Rudolph when you need him? I am reminded of Hanson's song "Run Rudolph Run."
Run, run Rudolph! Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa, he can hurry. He can take the freeway down."
Freeway? Santa just hasn't seen I-10 in Houston during the middle of the Christmas shopping season. It gives freeway a whole new meaning.
Toys in Every Store
Screeching into the last parking place on the west side of the biggest mall in Houston and glaring at the lady I almost ran over--she should have known better than to stand in front of a crazed woman doing last minute Christmas shopping! What was her problem anyway?--I'm out of the car and bounding into the mall. I am a woman with a mission. Then I hear it. The Christmas music pervading every tiny air space of the building. I can hardly breathe. It's getting to me.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again,
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, toys in every store …"
Unfair tactics! The exposure to Bing Crosby singing "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" is almost too much. Bing's voice could calm the savage beast in any shopper! I feel myself letting go, getting into the shopping mode. Uh-oh. Gonna spend too much money.
Billy Gilman's singing, "Families out together shopping. It's the warm and fuzzy time of year." Can you believe it? That's actually the name of the song--"Warm and Fuzzy." Time for a reality check. I repeat to myself, "I am not warm and fuzzy. I have a budget. I have a budget. Can't blow it. I am not warm and fuzzy."
Suddenly all the young girls in the mall freeze in their places as they listen to 'N Sync lead us into feeling "the magic in the air" because it's "Christmas … all around." I hear one girl giggle, "It's the Home for Christmas CD." Time for a self pep talk again. "I am old. I am not moved by 'N Sync. I have a budget. I have a mission. Don't give in to the warm and fuzzies."
And then it happens. Michael Bolton's voice splits through the hustle and bustle of the people and the shopping and the children crying...and I am melting under his spell. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know," Michael sings. It doesn't snow in Houston. But it doesn't matter. Michael's voice has me mesmerized. Where is the music store? The CD is This is the Time, I am told. Forget Aunt Susan. Forget the kids. Forget the budget. Gotta have this CD. I'm old, but I'm not dead.
Eyes Shining
Sitting on the bench by the cookie store in the food court, I clutch the bag that has my Michael Bolton CD. Where to next? There is the matter of other Christmas shopping. I'm trying to recall my mission. "Santa's on his way. He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh." It's the mall music again. They are playing Stevie Wonder's Someday at Christmas album. Toys, Stevie. Oh, yeah.I stumble blindly toward the first store that I see. "The people are shopping for things they'll be swapping," Frank is crooning. No, Frank. Say it isn't so! They wouldn't dare swap what I've spent so much time and effort in selecting. Oops. I am last minute shopping. So much for the time and effort speech. Okay. Let 'em swap what they don't like. I like the song anyway: "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas" from The Sinatra Christmas Album.
Presently 98 Degrees is singing. And it feels like 98 degrees in here! Hey! It doesn't get very cold in Houston. You know it's still muggy and hot. So, turn on the air conditioner, will you? The song is "This Gift."
The snow is falling.
The city is white.
Your eyes are shining.…
My eyes are shining. It's that glazed-over look of the last minute shopper.
"And the lights on all the Christmas trees are burning…" Now they're playing Charley Pride's "Christmas in my Hometown." Ever been in a Houston mall Christmas Eve night, Charley? Will somebody please turn off that music? "Folks are smiling…" Not in the line I'm standing in! Yeah, yeah, Merry Christmas. Move over, lady. I was here first.
The Greatest Gift
At last I am done and heading to my car. Where did I park the thing? Oh, yes, I see it. Whew! I'll load the bags in the trunk and then get the car started. Air-conditioning at last! Breathe: in-out, in-out. I did it. I made it. How about a little Christmas music?I flip the switch to tune in my favorite radio station. What's this? The DJ announces the Moffatts' song "The Greatest Gift" from their A Moffatts' Christmas album.
Peace on Earth.
Good will to all men.
Give joy to the season by reaching out your hand.
The Greatest Gift is the love we give.
And we will find true peace of mind in the way that we live.
Oops. Guess I forgot about that part. I gotta get home. There are packages to wrap and popcorn to string. But first, I think I'll call a friend or two. Step on it. Hurry up. Move over, would ya? Houston traffic. Ho, ho, ho.
Elaine Ernst Schneider is a freelance writer and music teacher. She has been writing since high school and has published articles, songs, and children's work. Presently, Elaine is a curriculum author for Group Publishing and maintains the Lesson Tutor website.
