Tee Roy’s 5 Ways To Put The Merry Back In Christmas

The other day I asked a  question on our Facebook page asking what people prefer to hear, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays". Aside from one dude who said "who cares, they both sound the same!", the response was an overwhelming "Merry Christmas!!!". But really, what's so merry about it? We work our butts off, empty our bank accounts to buy gifts for people we generally don't like, and spend the whole season running around trying to prepare for one day that is , in all honesty, a week before the party we're all REALLY waiting for...New Years Eve. If I sound like Scrooge, you'll have to forgive me. The hours have been long, and I'm spending my Tax Return three months before I even file.

Enough Bah Humbug moments. Here's my list of 5 ways to put the "Merry" back in "Merry Christmas"...

1.) Forget the greedy, help the needy

Last week, we held our 14th annual Stuff The Van Toy Drive. What started out as way to help a few has turned into Casper's biggest Christmas Drive to date. This year, we helped over 3,500 Natrona County Kids have a Merry Christmas. These are kids who, for the most part, wouldn't even have a tree to put anything under, let alone presents, if it wasn't for your generosity. What are these kids asking for? Clothes. Make-up. Food. Daily hygiene products that most of us take for granted...kind of makes that PS3 that your kid is throwing a fit for seem,--oh, I don't know--materialistic. Way to step it up Casper. Once again, you answered the call in a big way!

2.) Make Christmas a family affair

Too many times in the past month I've received this phone call from my better half:

Her-"What should I get ____?"

Me-" I don't know, a meat-log, or something"

Her-"I can't do that! Last year they gave us a ____, and I have to get them something that's at least as good!"

Me-"Well excuse me! How the hell should I know what they want!"

Her-"Because they're your friend! What are they into?"

Me-"Hookers and blow...so, maybe a gift certificate to a massage parlor"

Her-"You're an a**hole! I'm just trying to spread some Christmas cheer, and, just like every year, you're ruining it!"

Me-"I'm sorry. Hey, can you grab me some batteries while you're out?"

Her-click...

I'm worried about paying bills, getting that big project done, putting food on the table, clearing the history on my work computer...the last thing I care about is what cheap gift I'm going to give someone who wouldn't appreciate it anyway. I have an agreement with my four brothers and three sisters--I'll get you nothing, and you return the favor. Life would be so much easier if the only people on your list are the people that live in your house...

That may sound like a dick thing to say, but seriously...I like my friends, and want to keep them, but they're in the same boat as me. It would be easier for everyone involved if we just took care of our own...

3.) Remember the reason for the season

Religious folks will talk about the birth of Jesus. If you're religious, go to church. Pray. Thank the Big Man upstairs for all you have.

Not Religious, or Christian? Donate time or money to a charity. Hang with the spouse. Take the kids sledding. Buy a bucket of peanut butter, and enjoy an evening with the dog. Whatever you're into, odds are you'll find something cheap and easy to do with the ones you love that will help you actually enjoy the season of giving, not resent it.

4.) K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid!)

Remember when you were little, and the morning after Thanksgiving your Mom would get up at 4 in the morning so she could bum-rush the stores in hopes to beat out all of the other shoppers to the electronics section so she could get one of the three TV's they have on sale? Me neither. This didn't happen when I was a kid. We got one present each, and it was usually something we needed, not something we wanted. And we loved it! This year, get your kids just one present each. Take a goofy family picture, and e-mail it to all of your friends as a funny Christmas card. Invite the folks over for egg-nog and board games. Go to the mall with some friends and heckle the shoppers.

Easy, Free, Fun.

5.) Remember The Good Times, And Put The Bad Ones To Rest

I'm a firm believer that life is nothing more than a series of  individual moments that you either remember or forget. The end of the year should be a time for reflection and sharing. Wouldn't it be cool just to be hanging with the ones you love telling stories about the past year? Even the bad times are just a memory the next day...so why not release the stress this year? Laughter is the medicine, but it's even better when you're not the only laughing...

What says you? Did I get it all wrong, miss something, or hit the nail on the head? As always, I'm just some douche with a computer. Comment below with your two cents, and let's see if we can help others actually ENJOY the holiday season!

Oh yeah....and Merry Christmas!