Seasonal cheer

Even if Christmas isn't your forte, it's hard to miss those persistent little particles that float through the air this time of year. No, not snow, and I'm not talking about rain either.

It's that contagious and abnormally necessary smile, the gleam that directs your gaze to the lights on every building and that inkling to do something good for someone else.

Holiday cheer. What Scrooge was lacking and the Grinch never had, at least not until the Whos loved him into it. If those stories have taught me anything, it's that this season isn't a time for bah humbug, but a time for getting some (holiday cheer that is).

Take, for example, the story of the Grinch who stole Christmas. Though he took all of the Who's stuff -- the decorations, the presents, the food -- he didn't steal their cheer, despite his bad intentions. When it came right down to it, all those Whos were still just happy to be together. The story of the Grinch makes it plain that there's a whole lot more to this holiday than Dec. 25. And if you stick with it, people around you might get a healthy dose as well.

The magic associated with Christmas Day itself tends to lose its luster as I age, and is something I imagine may rekindle when I have kids of my own. But I've had no trouble staying pumped with holiday goodness.

Way to go, Whoville. You've given me the right idea. It's not so much about the "stuff," but about what you do and with whom you do it. Pardon the cliche, but it is the thought that counts, and more importantly, the heart behind the thought. Even the Grinch couldn't get away from the Who's kind hearts, though his was virtually non-existent.

In light of getting some cheer of your own, Seattle is rampant with substantial sources of cheer. Downtown has been practically transformed into as much of a winter wonderland as possible without any snow. Lights are everywhere; coffee houses are serving spiced lattes and seasonal drinks everyday. People have actually been letting me in during traffic jams. All over, there are things to get cheery about.

This year, my roommates and I have set aside an evening for cookie baking. We plan on compiling a bunch of recipes, baking together and then giving the cookies as gifts to our friends and neighbors. We are getting a tree and stockings, too. Not only that, we are even mailing out photo-cards to our families. For participating in such stereotypical holiday traditions, we're actually being rather non-traditional.

Each of us is working and/or going to school full-time. Our families live in different parts of the country, and none of us believe in Santa Claus anymore. We aren't attached to Dec. 25 in any way, yet here we are, Suzy Homemaker wannabes with candy canes and gingerbread men galore for the entire month of December. I swear, it's the season and that darn holiday cheer thing that have us all wrapped up in spending quality time together.

It's not so much about the day as it is the time. Who cares if illusions of a fat man in a red suit bringing hula hoops and ponies don't frolic through my dreams at night? The holiday cheer accompanying this season means more than silly traditions, no matter how intertwined they are.

The Grinch was loved into cheer, and indeed his heart grew that day. If it worked for him, imagine how many people we could "cheer up" with a little cheer of our own.