With the ringing of the bells outside of stores, the shuffle of shoppers running in and out of shops and boutiques, the crinkling sound of brand new bags filled with purchase after purchase, the sweet aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and pine filling the air, the entire experience of the holiday season awakens every one of our senses. But what is often not forgotten is that sixth sense we all experience around the holiday season: the sense of memory, nostalgia, the longing for yesterday.
Back in my hometown in northeast Tennessee, I begin hearing and reading the call to shop downtown around Christmas time. The reminders begin being broadcast aloud for all to choose downtown for their holiday shopping destination. Remember the days of the past when, for me, my mom and dad took me downtown onto Depot Street, right off of Main Street, to patronize the once "mom and pop-like" JC Penney's, Watsons, Anderson's, and the fabric shops along the way. I clearly remember the quaint ambiance and close knit shopping experience of my childhood with fondness and wish to forget the stressful shopping of more recent years in large shopping malls and big box retailers, filled with buggies and carts clearing out not only the items along the aisles but the people standing in them as well! We all experience the hectic frantic frenzy of holiday shopping, but can the same be said for the shopping experiences we have in our quaint downtown's? I would dare so that more often than not, those of us who do choose to find that perfect distinctive gift for our loved ones in that distinctive boutique downtown will find a warm welcome as we walk in the door; a friendly gesture to genuinely help us in our shopping quest; and finally, yes, even a distinctive shopping bag filled with tissue to hold our newly purchased holiday gift.
During this holiday season, as cliche as it sounds, let's not forget the reason for the season...for those of us who are Christians, it is a time to remember the ultimate gift of all - the birth of our Savior. For all of us, it is a time to savor the gift of our families and loved ones. And in the meantime, enjoy the simple things in life, the easy things in the life, and the unique and distinctive things in life - the things that make up special memories. For many of us, those special memories were built and began around our own Main Street's. Why not make those memories again this year with our own loved ones to remember and cherish for years to come. Where is your Main Street? What special memories do you have of that quaint place within your city or town? Where are the holiday decorations garnishing the old-timey light posts in your town right now? Have you and your family made it down there yet this year? You just might be surprised at the memory-making that awaits.
Back in my hometown in northeast Tennessee, I begin hearing and reading the call to shop downtown around Christmas time. The reminders begin being broadcast aloud for all to choose downtown for their holiday shopping destination. Remember the days of the past when, for me, my mom and dad took me downtown onto Depot Street, right off of Main Street, to patronize the once "mom and pop-like" JC Penney's, Watsons, Anderson's, and the fabric shops along the way. I clearly remember the quaint ambiance and close knit shopping experience of my childhood with fondness and wish to forget the stressful shopping of more recent years in large shopping malls and big box retailers, filled with buggies and carts clearing out not only the items along the aisles but the people standing in them as well! We all experience the hectic frantic frenzy of holiday shopping, but can the same be said for the shopping experiences we have in our quaint downtown's? I would dare so that more often than not, those of us who do choose to find that perfect distinctive gift for our loved ones in that distinctive boutique downtown will find a warm welcome as we walk in the door; a friendly gesture to genuinely help us in our shopping quest; and finally, yes, even a distinctive shopping bag filled with tissue to hold our newly purchased holiday gift.
During this holiday season, as cliche as it sounds, let's not forget the reason for the season...for those of us who are Christians, it is a time to remember the ultimate gift of all - the birth of our Savior. For all of us, it is a time to savor the gift of our families and loved ones. And in the meantime, enjoy the simple things in life, the easy things in the life, and the unique and distinctive things in life - the things that make up special memories. For many of us, those special memories were built and began around our own Main Street's. Why not make those memories again this year with our own loved ones to remember and cherish for years to come. Where is your Main Street? What special memories do you have of that quaint place within your city or town? Where are the holiday decorations garnishing the old-timey light posts in your town right now? Have you and your family made it down there yet this year? You just might be surprised at the memory-making that awaits.
