Try to hold onto the
By Kenneth Nishiguchi
true holiday spiritIT is truly amazing to me how easy it is to overlook the little things in life. Around Christmastime, these "little" things may matter the most. As a keiki, all I used to think about was the size of the tree, the presents. For the record, my presents kicked butt. That's because I am an only child. Therefore, by natural law, I received 10 times what other kids with siblings received.
The littlest thing I can remember is back at Aina Haina Elementary, where there was a G.T. -- gifted and talented -- program. One day around Christmastime, we had the opportunity to make little gingerbread houses. I made mine nice, small and homelike. Looked good enough to eat.
Naturally, the G.T. kids had to strut their stuff and make kick-butt mansions that put Hawaii Loa Ridge houses to shame.
What's my point? Ninety percent of us made normal cute houses, but the other gifted and talented stole the spotlight and made the rest of us feel like jerks. I was so angry I ate my house. My other classmates decided to follow suit, but the "mansions" were preserved for the teachers to photograph.
OK, I am a jealous guy. So what? I'm a Scorpio. It's in my horoscope. But sometimes I feel the spirit of the holidays are killed by commercialism, trying to outspend, outdo the next guy and the focus is on who's got the best goods.
Let me just say it is totally cool to make a small gingerbread house or give homemade gifts from the heart. As long as it is done with good intentions and good taste. Too bad some do not share my sentiments on this matter. It's possible that the following conversation might be taking place somewhere right now:
Kenny: "Hey, Billy-Bob! Howzit! Made you some choco-dipped kaki-mochi crunch li hing mui snack mix. Hope you enjoy."
Billy-Bob: "Yah, bruddah. Mahalos. (That cheap !@#$!?! What I really wanted was a new bodyboard and fins.)"
You get the concept, right? Since when did the size of the gift determine its value and quality? It's the thought that counts. This is not a cliche. This is the truth that Gucci, Ala Moana and a whole bunch of other places try to deny. They want your guilt-ridden generous soul to haul ass into their stores, buy a whole bunch of stuff and charge it to your already overcharged MasterCard/VISA. Fa la la la la. They will have a merry Christmas with your money.
ANOTHER thing, sometimes the best holiday stuff is not planned -- a night out, time spent with family and friends and a whole bunch of phone calls.
I hate it when people have to bust out their planners. Sure, they have to deal with their practical, day-to-day affairs, but how can they plan fun? Ask them if they want to have lunch or something and they reply, "Sure, I can pencil you in for half an hour on Tuesday.
"Then I gotta pay my bills, walk the dog, go to blah blah blah's Christmas play for 10 minutes, write a cheesy Christmas newsletter that is so impersonal that my relatives and friends will trash it when they get it, and maybe make some time for myself ... three minutes oughta do."
How uptight and anal can you get? These are the essential enemies of Christmas spirit. Commercialism. Materialism. Stress. And cheesy newsletters.
Let me rephrase. I would prefer a 10-minute call to a five-page newsletter that adds up to nothing but hollow sentiments and shallow banter about accomplishments and acquisitions.
As my Christmas greeting to you I will say Mele Kalikimaka! Love ya all!
Kenneth Edward Nishiguchi is a 1996
Kalani High School graduate who is glad for little things like
getting Christmas Day off from work even if he doesn't
have a girlfriend to spend it with.Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
Speak up by fax at 523-8509; by answering machine at 525-8666;
snail mail at P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802;
or e-mail, features@starbulletin.com
