It's not a criticism, it's an observation.
Buy your own present

Mike Cox

On the day before Thanksgiving, I was sitting in a Bojangles in Dillon when someone's cell phone rang. The tune was We Wish You a Merry Christmas. It's too early.

Before we all stuffed ourselves on turkey and lounged around with our pants undone, there were tree lots already open. I repeat, it's too early. For the sake of commerce, we start celebrating Christmas earlier each year.

But the traditional start of the lunacy is still the same. On the day after Thanksgiving, people gather before daybreak to wrestle this year's hottest gift away from some other crazed parent. Everyone fears a less than perfect Christmas gift will turn their offspring into a Dr. Phil poster child.

When my kids were young, they were more interested in the boxes.

Parents, mostly mothers, gather in front of Wal- Mart and the malls wearing seasonal sweatshirts and looks of determination. All of them already know the one gift they must have for each child on their list. Heaven help anyone who gets in the way.

Speaking of getting in the way, holiday traffic is the most irritating thing about the Christmas season. I'm convinced nearly one-third of the drivers out and about are too old or too inexperienced to be barreling down Harbison Boulevard with a cell phone in one hand and a sale paper in the other rying to check off another name on their list.

Some of the people in mall parking lots live in small surrounding towns, only drive to the drug store once a week, and can't see over the dash of the gigantic Buick they are trying to steer.

Once a year, these folks are allowed to climb in, head directly to where the traffic is the heaviest, and try to maneuver around other people already so pre-occupied or self-obsessed, they think there are no other vehicles on the road.

Last Monday, I was nearly run over by an escapee from Lowman Homes who ignored a yield sign then glared at me for coming so close to her. That same day I encountered speeders in the Publix parking lot, a record number of red light runners, and so many people creeping along in the left lane of I- 26, I thought I was in England.

If you drive around this area, it is easy to think everyone who owns a car is driving around, doing stupid stuff. But that isn't true.

Last year, I heard of one grandmother who decided to be smart. Tired of risking her life to get gifts for the descendants, she sat down one evening and wrote a check to each of the grandkids, nieces, and nephews.

Then she addressed and mailed a Christmas card to each person, allowing plenty of time before December 25. Inside she had written, "Buy your own present." She felt proud of her accomplishment until New Year's Eve, when she noticed the stack of checks, still sitting on her desk. She had forgotten to place the money in the envelopes before mailing the cards.