Dear editor:
Every December, Puget Sound residents celebrate the vestiges of a holiday that old timers vaguely recall was named Christmas. Puget Sound residents no longer wish each other a Merry Christmas, rather, there are cheerful verbal and written exchanges of “Seasons Greetings.” Children don’t get a Christmas vacation, they now participate in the Winter Break. All remnants of the holiday formally known as Christmas have been systematically eliminated from the public square, including the traditional symbol of the old Christmas holiday, the Christmas tree. That symbol has been replaced by the politically correct “Winter Tree.”
The Christmas tree had undergone a gradual transformation, initially into a Holiday Tree, and then to its present manifestation, the ever ubiquitous “Winter Tree.” Currently it is impossible to install a Christmas or Holiday tree in the public square as both refer to religious themes which are now strictly forbidden. Thus this formerly quasi religious arborvitae symbol is now designated as the all purpose “Winter Tree” by politically correct default. Furthermore, religious ornaments that once adorned the historical Christmas tree have been replaced by seasonally appropriate secular items, such as snow flakes and snowmen.
Winter is undoubtedly the worst of all the seasons in the Puget Sound area. Dreary, depressing, drizzle-filled days, one after another, seemingly without end. The ever-present low-lying clouds blot out the sun for days. Many trees are forlorn-looking without their leaves, and gardens are devoid of plants and flowers. Winter is the time when non-residents take pity on those residing in the Puget Sound area. Many residents focus on their upcoming one-week vacation in Hawaii or Arizona to escape the Puget Sound winter and catch up on their Vitamin D. What is there to celebrate about the winter season in Puget Sound? Why would anyone want to exchange “Seasons Greetings” during such a terrible time of the year? More appropriate to exchange “Seasons Condolences”, and provide assurances that winter will soon be ending. Winter is certainly the season least deserving of a major celebration in this part of the United States.
Most area residents overwhelmingly agree that the best season to reside in and enjoy the beautiful Puget Sound area is summer. I propose that all Puget Sound institutions discontinue all official celebrations of the winter holidays and substitute summer as the most appropriate season to hold a seasonal celebration. Summer rather than winter is truly the season to be celebrated in the Puget Sound area, and what better way to celebrate the season in part, than to install, decorate and light a beautifully decorated “Summer Tree.” The days are long and sunny, the region blessed by moderate temperatures and low humidity. The Puget Sound area has the best summer weather in the entire country, thus it is the most appropriate time to organize seasonal festive activities.
Rather than attending an official Winter Tree-lighting ceremony on a cold, drizzly, all-around depressing and miserable day in December, a Summer Tree- lighting ceremony can be enjoyed during the waning hours of a pleasantly warm and sunny day. And furthermore, non-residents who overwhelmingly visit the Puget Sound only during the summer months can also participate in these annual public events. Additionally, those non-residents, both friends and family, will be available for the exchange of Summer Holiday presents, strategically placed under the family “Summer Tree,” as the tradition grows and spreads. No six-month wait to distribute gifts to out-of-town guests who simply don’t travel to the Puget Sound area in the dead of winter.
As all public religious significance of the “Winter Holiday” has been eliminated, and the original holiday has been transformed from a religious to a seasonal one, it really is irrelevant when a seasonal holiday is established and decorated trees are installed in the public square. If traditionalists require a specific holiday to anchor the “Summer Holiday” and ‘Summer Tree” celebrations, let it be the Fourth of July. Not only is the 4th mostly devoid of religion (references to rights endowed by a creator in the Declaration of Independence notwithstanding), but it is a holiday that unites all Americans regardless of religious or ethnic background. Obviously not planned by the founding “parents,” the Declaration of Independence was issued at the beginning of summer, serendipitous timing that nicely dovetails with the most pleasant season in Puget Sound.
Eric Soll
Yah let’s raise taxes for parties, alcohol, and a bigger red onion!