Lileks goes Saturnalia shopping

“I went Christmas shopping this weekend. Or, if that’s too culturally IN YOUR FACE, Saturnalia shopping.”

I think we should bring back Saturnalia for people who have no use or interest in the Christmas version of the solstice / midwinter / need a fargin’ break already Holiday; Saturnalia is older, and had many interesting traditions. Falls on the same day, too. As Wikipedia notes – with the waggish tone of an old professor – “It was marked by tomfoolery and reversal of social roles, in which slaves and masters ostensibly switched places, with expectedly humourous results.” School was let out; people threw parties, exchanged gifts, drank themselves blind. Catullus called the season “The best of days,” but he would.

Catullus explained.