Are you ready for the holidays?

I'm sure that I've been asked, "Are you ready for the holidays?" many times before. But this year I have noticed the question more than ever.  So when something gets my attention or intrigues me, I start assigning meaning to it, or I at least try to find the meaning that's intended.

I would understand  "Are you ready for the holidays?" in the days leading up to Thanksgiving or the days immediately following Thanksgiving.  But isn't asking "Are you ready for the holidays?" the week before Christmas a little like at 30,000 feet the flight attendant asking you , "Are you ready for your flight?"

I can appreciate the fact that the speaker is really only making polite conversation and not probing for intense personal information.  But still...

I've been told that the question means "Are you finished with all  your Christmas shopping?"   or "Are you prepared for all the family that's coming in?"  But if that's the case, why not ask something like, "Are you finished with all your Christmas shopping?" or "Are you prepared for all the family coming in?"  I've also been told that "the holidays" in the context of this question means Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Since our family is scattered from coast to coast, we have learned that "Christmas" happens the weeks and days that include Thanksgiving through mid-January.  If we waited  until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate Christmas, we would have totally missed "the holidays." I think "the holidays" is an attitude more than a time and place.  For me, for many years, "the holidays" certainly hasn't been December 24th and 25th.

I have a suggestion.  When you run into a friend, acquaintance or stranger during "the holidays" and you're searching for something to say, instead of the knee-jerk "Are you ready for the holidays?" ask instead "Are you enjoying the holidays?".  Obviously, now instead of asking her about something that has not yet happened, you are asking about something that is already  in progress.  So instead of conversation about Christmas day, perhaps the person will respond about the concert that she attended or the holiday gathering that happened the previous weekend.  Or maybe, even the week before Christmas, she will share what happened with her family at Thanksgiving.   For me there is a world of difference between, "Are you ready for the holidays?"  and "Are you enjoying your holidays?"  Of course with that latter question, he may say, "No, I'm not."  and he goes into some detail about how things are not going well at all.  Unfortunately, Christmas" can be very difficult for some people. If' that's the case,at that point the conversation has been ratcheted up to another level. I suggest you use the opportunity to listen and to offer your love and kindness. You never know when such a conversation is the only TLC the person is going to get that day.

So far I've been patient with people who have asked me, "Are you ready for the holidays?" but if somebody asks me on Christmas Eve, I'll be tempted to say, "No, but I've got a year to get ready." And if,  while in the air, the flight attendant asks me "Are you ready for the flight?"  I'll say, "Ready as I'll ever be. But please ask the pilot and let  me know what he says". Prayer works wonders.