PSoTD

We were visiting some good friends in our neighborhood, and the husband said "Christmas this year is going to be a bit more modest here," referring to the number and scope of gifts for everyone, including the kids.

We agreed, and very likely it's a sentiment being felt in millions of homes this year. And it isn't about fear about the economy, or a kneejerk reaction to the stock market, or at least just that, but it seems to me to be an "awakening from slumber" moment for many of us.

For years we were pulled in deeper by the undercurrent of Christmas capitalism, pushed by the desire for greater and more expensive electronics and sports equipment and other items because everyone else was going in a bit deeper as well. Our kids deserve this, because their friends have this, and because their friends have this, our kids want this, and Christmas was there to satisfy the want.

And it wasn't just the kids, but us as well, wanting more than we needed simply because we felt the pull and didn't feel any desire to resist. There was almost a sense that we deserved it.

Funny thing about an economic crisis, though, is it makes you think about the reasoning of what you're doing as you consider the results as well.

I wonder if that reasoning is going to make a big change in the future of Christmas in families around the country. If families have a more modestly priced Christmas, and this Christmas is seen as just as enjoyable and rewarding for families as previous Christmases, then what is the value of spending that additional $500 or $1000 or $2000 dollars on gifts? Especially when compared to things that could be done with that money for the family in the future?

We'll see what happens this year, but hefty-price Christmas may be about to get the same kind of review from the American family that the SUV has received the past few years - and a similar buying decision for the future.

Duck Soup was a mixed result with our kids. They did really like the peanut vendor scenes, particularly the first one with the hat changes, and we ALL got a big belly laugh when Groucho had the pitcher stuck on his head, asked for help, and they drew his face on the vase. I think they liked it more than they understood, because between the comments that it was black and white and "why did he do that" there were some good laughs, particularly from our 8 year old. But I think the difference in technology and technique between the 1930s and now is a pretty big jump at their ages to bypass.

Oh, and they hated the songs.

Here's that scene with the pitcher.

There's a list of retail stores going out of business with a general bit of advice that seems to be going viral: don't give gift cards for Christmas this year.