Being a Baby Boomer, I remember 50's life. Sure it has been idealized in movies and music, but, no doubt about it things were so much simpler back then. It is ironic that we are just coming out of the Christmas holiday because that is where the differences seem so glaring to me; how Christmas and the holidays were celebrated and people's framework for looking at each other.
Christmas was a time when friends and family went shopping together, baked cookies together and had great work place parties. Where I lived party lines were still in use. I remember the build up of anticipation leading up to the holidays which were my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving was a really big deal and so was Macy's parade. Watching it, whether in person or on T.V., was a ritual. We were delighted when it snowed because it gave us the opportunity to go sleigh riding or ice skating at the neighborhood pond. No one sued anyone like they do today so it was easy for a landowner to open up his pond for the public's use. Christmas lights were simpler then too. There were the big screw in kind for outdoors only and then the smaller screw in type for inside. People that really wished to be creative used only one color or two colors alternated. A big extravagance was being able to have a few bubble lights or Santa Claus lights on your tree. On Christmas Day friends and relatives would call each other and make the rounds visiting several people for a few hours each. Everyone would have a present for us kids, usually some candy or an inexpensive toy. We were always thrilled.
Christmas season never kicked off until after Thanksgiving and so we weren't saturated with it. The Christmas cards started coming in like snow flakes in a snow storm for three weeks or so and were proudly and promptly displayed around the house. An artificial tree was a novelty and people always had their favorite tree stand to go to and favorite type of tree to go pick out. There was so much simple enjoyment being in the moment.
New Year's was not a night for happening clubs and driving around drunk. People either went to Times Square to watch the ball drop or had gatherings at their house and had good old fashion fun; dancing, playing instruments and games and, of course, watching the ball drop was obligatory. No one left and drove home intoxicated, although the booze flowed, they simply spent the night anywhere their bodies could land; sofas, sleeping bags etc.
I guess where this is all going is this: do we really feel any better now having cell phones, laptops, artificial trees and emails than we did back then? My guess is that there are many people that are searching and seeking a feel good patch to fill a void that we were guaranteed back then. I see people at large feeling needy, lost and insecure and what I think that they are seeking is a sense of purpose and belonging and community. I honestly believe that the good people of this country are burned out on competition and greed and deviousness. Security, comfort, "family" and simplicity is a nationwide hunger.
Evidence for this supposition exists with the popularity of places like Active Rain and Twitter and Facebook. I see people looking for connection and community and when they find it they gorge themselves. It has come full circle in my opinion and the basic nature of people to feel needed and wanted hasn't changed. In fact with all of the complicated devices and systems in place what I see and hear is people using them to find simple forms of connectivity. Perhaps when we search for a foundation for our 2009 business plan these are things that we need to consider. Give folks what they really need and want and they will come, and ....................STAY forever!
GAYLE CHRISTMAS 1953 (CARDBOARD FIREPLACE AND STOCKING)
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