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Barry Lewis: No purchasing poinsettias before the Pilgrims and the parade Comment By Barry Lewis More Content Now MailTribune.com By Barry Lewis More Content Now Posted Nov. 21, 2014 at 6:16 PM By Barry Lewis More Content Now Posted Nov. 21, 2014 at 6:16 PM » Social News “When are we getting the tree?” the boys asked me. “Why would we need a tree for Thanksgiving?” I asked. They gave me the dumb dad look. I gave it right back. I’m sorry. I’m not ready. I don’t care what the calendar says. Or that it’s cold. Or that commercials have been running for months reminding me of what’s coming. I know what’s coming. I’m just not ready. OK? Get the tree? We haven’t even gotten the turkey. Look, I’m as big a fan of Christmas the next guy. Unless the next guy happens to the pope. Then I’m probably a few guys down the line. But amongst Jewish guys, I think I’m pretty good booster of the Christmas holiday. Not in a New Testament type of way. For me, it’s about how folks open up their hearts and, yes, their wallets, to give of themselves. I’ve always appreciated the spiritual meaning that permeates during that special time of year. Note that I said “that time” and not “this time.” Because that time is Christmas, this time is Thanksgiving, and I have a problem when folks try to push that time ahead of this time. We have plenty of time for that time. As much as I get into the spirit of Christmas, I think there’s something inherently wrong about hanging holly and hearing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” before I‘ve had a chance to finish off the unused Halloween candy. We max ourselves out of the Christmas spirit. Celebrate now and by the time it’s Dec. 25, we’re more than ready to run Grandma over with a reindeer. And we wonder why there are so many holiday grinches? My rule is simple: No purchasing poinsettias before the Pilgrims and the parade. And I’m not alone. A national survey by Cricket Wireless found that more than half of Americans find it unacceptable to begin playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I should say most older Americans. A whopping 71 percent of folks 65 and older say hold off on the “Jingle Bells” until they’ve finished their turkey leftovers. More than 60 percent of us folks 45-64 say “Let’s wait.” It’s only those impatient, annoying 18-29 year old millennials (my son’s age) who see nothing wrong with turning up the holiday jams before passing the candied yams. Blasphemy! Funny things is, while retailers are ready to pounce on Christmas shoppers right after Labor Day, when you ask folks if they want to rush the holiday season, they answering in a resounding, “NO!” In a recent survey, 78 percent of folks said stores should wait until Thanksgiving to play Christmas music, and 75 percent say they shouldn’t put up their decorations until then either. More than 72 percent of Americans think that retailers start the Christmas season too early each year. So then why do we fall for all this celebrate-Christmas-before-Thanksgiving hype? Maybe it’s the same reason we care about “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” Let’s give Christmas a rest and respect the tradition of not starting the holiday before seeing Santa bringing up the rear at the Macy’s parade. Barry Lewis is executive editor of the Times Herald-Record. You can contact him at [email protected]. By Barry Lewis More Content Now MailTribune.com By Barry Lewis More Content Now Posted Nov. 21, 2014 at 6:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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