Spread the Cheer

As the Christmas season continues to rush toward us, I began to think about unique and memorable ways to spread Christmas cheer. After all, everyone is putting up their tree, hanging their stockings, adorning their fireplaces…all to add cheer to the Yuletide season. Unfortunately, some people do not feel very cheery this time of the year. In fact, they battle fatigue, depression and hopelessness more in December than at any other time of the year. For those and for the rest of you, let me share a few thoughts on how I like to spread cheer.

First of all, I love the smells of Christmas. Whether it’s pumpkin pie, or hot wassle, or gingerbread, or fresh cut pine…I love the smells. So I say, surround your home with the smells of Christmas. It spreads cheer.

Next, concoct some “seasonal libations”. They don’t have to be of the alcohol kind, but as for me, I prefer a little “nog” in my egg-nog. A little nutmeg on top….oh, man! Or hot chocolate, spiced cider, seasonal coffee…whatever is your “cup of tea”. Makes some. It spreads cheer.

Watch a holiday themed movie. My two favorites are “Holiday Inn” with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. It just wouldn’t be Christmas for me if I didn’t hear Bing sing, or see Chevy Chase begin to carve a turkey that deflates right before his eyes. These movies spread cheer.

And while we are talking about spreading cheer, let’s not forget Auburn football. For with Tony Franklin as the new offensive coordinator, we are definitely going to the “spread” offense, and he promises that we will have lots of excitement to “cheer” for. He states that “in order to win a championship, you have to be able to number one, play great defense and number two, you have to be able to run the football…..we finished the year 35th in the nation in rushing….but I also believe in spreading the ball around….wide receivers, slot backs, tight ends, running backs, quarterbacks….spread it around and attack the entire field.” Spreading the cheer.

And so, as we share a New Years Eve together down at the Georgia Dome…as we ring out the old, and ring in the new…as we sing Auld Lang Syne….as we say goodbye to the West Coast Offense and say hello to the Spread….take a moment to smell the pine. Take a moment to taste the nog. Take a moment to remember the good times. Toast Al Borges as you sing “should old acquaintance be forgot”. Toast Tony Franklin as you look toward the future.

Spread the cheer. And then let’s cheer the spread.

War Eagle!

WJLaneSr.