As I recall: Must everything be limited to a season?

I suppose that we are now in the post-Christmas season, that time when Christmas past is becoming more of a faded memory or blur for many people. Perhaps a few "outliers" can be found — those who still have some or all of their decorations displayed, whether due to reluctance to let go or procrastination, or those who continue to listen to Christmas music, via streaming apps or old fashioned vinyl. Perhaps a significant segment of the population tends to "compartmentalize" and places Christmas only within a certain block of time. It does seem that in my lifetime that block of time has extended, at least on one side, as the appearance of Christmas related items in the retail market occurs much earlier than it once did. However, the other side of Christmas tends to come to a much quicker end. My wife had an aunt who was known to take her tree down on Christmas afternoon. There must be a few who hold to that philosophy, as I noticed a live tree on the curb on Christmas afternoon, after making a trip to visit a relative who was in the hospital. A few others seem to be tolerant enough to accept the external trimmings through Dec. 25, but are ready and eager to move on by the next day. While I may be perusing store shelves for any leftover tokens of the season, this group seems to have no problem with the personnel who are stocking Valentine merchandise. Likely, many others are in the camp of waiting until New Year's Day, as they symbolically usher in the new by putting away the old. A few may justify waiting until after Jan. 6, which is known as Old Christmas. Likely, the outliers are those who continue to hold on, in one or multiple forms and fashions, after Jan. 6. Some of those who compartmentalize, however wide or narrow their compartment, may tend to judge the outliers as somehow detached in a way from reality. As one who could be classified at times as an outlier, I prefer to grant this group [or should I say "our" group?] a measure of grace, understanding and tolerance. In presenting a defense for the outliers, I must point not only to Christmas stores which are open year-round or Christmas themed places of lodging, but also, in later years, the occurrence of Christmas movies during all months of the year. Christmas in July is now also Christmas in March or any other month of the year in which previously it may have appeared to be out of place. The naysayers decry what they term to be out of season, and some can be quite critical of those who endorse or support it. In my view, what is the harm? If it brings someone joy to have a Christmas tree up all year or at what some may term "odd" times, so be it; allow those so inclined the privilege to do so without rebuke [assuming the tree is of the type that would present no safety hazard. I can accept valid concerns about cut live trees, regardless of how diligently watered]. Furthermore, I propose that if Christmas movies are playing throughout the year, all of the trimmings associated with Christmas should be made available so that while enjoying a presentation of "It's A Wonderful Life" or any of the made for television, we should be able to do so while partaking of eggnog, boiled custard, fruitcake or even chestnuts roasting on an open fire. [Again, with the admonition of safety first!] My concern about Christmas food and beverage availability has always been there. It has bothered me that I would, most of the time, be hard-pressed to find most holiday items, even if I wanted to wrap up [pun intended, of course] the season by celebrating Old Christmas. However, with this latest Christmas, my desire has been elevated further. Recently I introduced our nearly four-year-old grandson to eggnog, [of course the kind that would meet Olivia Walton's approval, and not what might have been concocted by the Baldwin sisters. For those who may not have been raised right, Google for a synopsis of the television series "The Waltons"]. My grandson is now a member of "The Eggnog Club," along with his aunt and Pop Pop. However, we have the dilemma now of lack of availability. While my grandson does need to know that some things in life are available just within a limited time frame, I would like for this item not to be how he learns that lesson. So, to Amazon I go in search of an eggnog mix that I hope will satisfy his palate sufficiently until we can purchase cartons locally again. Merry Christmas to all... all year! ••• Mike Baker is a local author.