TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

A few years ago, we wound up about 20 driving hours from home the day after Thanksgiving.

Destined as we were for a lengthy car ride, I thought I would brighten the drive by locating holiday-song-only radio stations and flipping from one to another, making this an all-holiday-tunes exercise, something my family could look back on and fondly remember someday.

Well, I’m happy to report that we do look back on this trip, but the word “fondly” isn’t part of the story.

All I was doing was replicating my personal pattern between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, when I give my daily diet of Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen and Boston a six-week rest in favor of holiday tunes. It’s a plan that seems to keep both genres fresh year-round.

But there’s a difference between listening to holiday tunes for 20 minutes at a time and listening to them for 20 consecutive hours. As we wound through the hills of Missouri and Arkansas and across the relative flatness of East Texas, it dawned on me that there are only about 30 actual holiday “favorites,” and once those have been played, the radio stations start looping them again. And again. And again.

Given enough repetitions, even Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” begins to sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. If you don’t believe me, just ask my wife or sons, who spent a good portion of what should have been a restful drive for them (after all, I was behind the wheel throughout) complaining so loudly about this cruel and unusual punishment that I finally gave in and switched the channel.

We survived, of course, although one son still barks irrationally when a holiday song dares flash its title on the radio screen. But that ill-conceived idea says something about the unintended consequences of the ever-expanding holiday season.

We all know that within minutes of clearing the shelves of Halloween candy, many merchants fill their stores with holiday stuff. It still seems odd to find Santa waving hello when Thanksgiving is nowhere in sight.

I’m not pointing a finger at stores that start the holidays early; they are entitled to do whatever is best for their bottom lines, particularly in these curious economic times.

But I do wonder about the cumulative “damage” we’re doing to ourselves by allowing the holidays to become an overexposed part of our lives.

Our pastor used the term “extravagant generosity” during a recent sermon, and his point seemed to be the importance of giving generously to others from both our pocketbooks and our time.

The holiday season, more than any other, is a time when most of us feel an emotional pull to dig a little deeper to help each other.

Yes, we should feel that way every day of every year. But sadly, most of us just can’t operate that way. We need a special time to give in a special way, and the holiday season offers that opportunity.

Or at least it did. Now, with the season stretching from Nov. 1 to Jan. 2, that’s a long time to keep the flame burning without scorching someone, most likely ourselves.

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One stop. All glow. The Station gets you closer to the holidays. Check off your checklist, and add to your wish list. Hear caroling and go reveling. Find everything—and have it all.

Q&A: Nicole Musselman

For fashion designer Nicole Musselman, it was a trip to bangkok that changed the course of her life. The delicate fabrics and unique, unstructured handbags she saw there set into motion a fashion whirlwind that began with designing bags for friends and culminated with the launch of Koch, musselman’s clothing line that is now carried worldwide. The Preston Hollow resident has a boutique in Oak cliff. We recently caught up with this globetrotting fashionista to see what’s inspiring her now.

Where are you originally from?

I’m from California, but I went to high school in Ohio. When I came to Dallas for SMU, I loved it, but I thought to myself “Can this weather be healthy?” But, I love the people, and I want to stay here.

How did Koch get its start?

Koch [Musselman’s mother’s maiden name] started when I returned from my trip to Bangkok and wanted to recreate the unstructured handbags everyone would carry in the markets. I began making accessories, small leather goods and hand-printed textiles, and it just took off from there. I asked a lot of questions to my friends in manufacturing, and Koch was born. It’s all about pushing forward and persevering.

As business increases, is Koch still made by domestic artisans?

Yes, all of the clothing is made in Texas, and we recently added a highly skilled group in L.A. who does sweaters; it’s a family company. The process begins with my drawings or paintings, and they bring them to life.

Which designers do you find inspiring?

Diane von Furstenberg … I love her “anything is possible” mentality toward women working and finding their way. I find her very inspiring.

Describe the woman who wears your clothing.

She can be in her 20s or in her 70s, but she wants to look put together, sexy but still pretty, and be comfortable at the same time. I use flowing fabrics, so women can move around and get things done. This is functional clothing.

Which collection are you working on now?

I’m just finishing spring 2012, which was inspired by a trip to Udaipur, India. That is where James Bond’s “Octopussy” was filmed, and the collection is full of fish, octopuses and golden guns.

What’s next for you?

I would like Koch to continue evolving into a lifestyle brand, including jewelry and accessories. We’ll keep moving in that direction. I would love to have bikinis, or fun boots, and more one day.

And the ultimate goal?

To make beautiful pieces that are made well and resonate with people. If the quality is great, people are attracted to it.

—Meghan Riney