Twas the month before Christmas and from beginning to ending
marketers were fretting because people were not spending.
"Oh why don't they get with the spirit of the season
And realize that buying is the real reason
we celebrate the birth of the man they call Jesus?
If they would all start shopping it really would please us."

And so in the media across our great nation
the gurus of Wall Street begot holy commercialization.
And this year it's wrapped in the American flag
with enough "Keep America rolling" to make us all gag.
You must buy plenty for the kids, for grandma and your pet.
It's now patriotic to go into debt.
(If we all just keep spending we'll get Bin Laden yet.)

Don't sit on your money. Buy gadgets and so on.
The taxes will help save the poor folks at Enron.
I believe, said the President, if retail sales aren't healthy
I'll just give another round of tax breaks to the wealthy.
So remember now citizens, it's your patriotic duty
to buy chachkes and trinkets and crap up the wazooty.

But throughout the country in places hot and cold
it was dawning on people that holiday spirit couldn't be sold.
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or Solstice —
whichever the festival you like the mostess
it's surely not about buying stuff
especially for those who have more than enough.

And if giving is what brings you holiday cheer
Do it in a meaningful way every year.
Don't waste time shopping. Just make a donation
to a food pantry, shelter or charitable organization.
You'll breeze through the holidays without all the stress
of spending more and enjoying less.

Perhaps it's the marketers who don't know the score
that happiness cannot be bought in a store.
At Christmas, Divali or Eid al-Fitr —
The most precious of gifts — loved ones held near.
THAT'S the gift of the season — available anytime.
No shopping, no schlepping, no waiting in line.

Send your friends a link to this page.

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