Good morning, Tuesday, and merry Christmas to all of you out there. Listen, I know I'm a Jew, but this year, I find myself happy for the hoilday. it's been a rough year for so many, and for me, I've barely come up for air for over three months with back to back big gigs. Yesterday, I had to run into the city in the afternoon, and I got completely swept up in the magic that is New York during the holidays. As a nation and as individuals we've all been through a lot this year- a nail biter of an election night, a horrible and unexpected hurricane, a massacre at a movie theater, and one that simply was an unspeakable act of pure madness- Newtown. I am sure I am forgetting some things, but you all know there are things that occured this year that simply have to change the way we do things, and the way we treat each other.
Christmas at its core besides the crass commercialism and frenzied crowds looking for cheap tablets, is all about giving, showing compassion, and gathering with friends and family to share in the spirit of all that is calm, and all that is right. Giving to others is the most wonderful thing in the world- to see someone smile and know you are in their thoughts is worth every penny. If you don't like that, something's not right with you. As somebody who takes great pleasure in gift giving, I have a hard time understanding those that hate on that part of the season. Giving a nice gift to someone says you listened to them over lunch one day when they mentioned they love old school hip hop. or you heard them say in passing as the elevator shut at work one day that they really want to learn how to make paella or dumplings or coq au vin (enter nice cookbook).
I think that giving a present to someone that has a lot of thought behind it shows great compassion and care. It shows that you are grateful for the person on the receiving end, and that when they talk about things that are important or interesting to them, you're listening. And lest you think I'm the Elvis of gift giving and reward people with Cadillacs (yea, I know you don't really think that), I don't. A five dollar gift can be every bit as good as a 300 dollar one. Know that. It truly is the thought that counts. And the fact that during our overscheduled lives we make some time to brave the stores or online bidding wars to buy that special something speaks volumes about how important it is to make that time for those we care about. Oh and gentlemen- I'm not sure you're aware of this (the smarter amongst you are) of the power of a well thought out prezzie for your boo. Very few ills can't be undone with something sparkly, a pretty wallet, or a pretty scarf you caught them admiring on the way to go pick up the dry cleaning on one errand-packed Saturday.
So on this Christmas day, regardless of what G-d you pray to or if you don't pray at all, let's try and channel some of that compassion and warmth and care for each other. I hope all your presents are wrapped, or now unwrapped, and you're enjoying some lucky and love filled moments with your best peeps and families. Perhaps it's the cliched things like Christmas that hold so much weight now- that we can take comfort in the fact that it comes every year, and the frantic shopping always goes on despite whatever else is happening, and that families young and old, rich and poor, find ways to connect with each other as the buzziness of Christmas eve signals a wonderful and cozy evening doing whatever it is people do to celebrate the holiday, with ham, fish, or shrimp fried rice. Please tell me what's wrong with that- and if you still think Christmas sucks, I'm crossing you off my list. And that's what's up this everyone needs a little something kind of merry merry Tuesday in the miracle of Manhattan (ok, Brooklyn). Christmas makes us all feel like little kids, and Christmas morning for many should be bottled so we can sprinkle it upon us when things get rough the rest of the year. Oh and if you dont' want to give gifts to those you know, give to those you don't. So many in need right here and right now that could use our help. This Christmas, giving in any way possible- a hand, an ear, a present to lift our spirits or show our thanks or love, is more important than ever before. XO