Christmas is coming
So the inevitable is happening, Christmas is coming around (AGAIN). And here's what I think to it all - FOR CHRIST'S SAKE GET IT OVER WITH.
As the years go by I get more and more of a Humbug, and with good reason. Christmas is sod all to do with the religious festival of the birth of Christ but a huge and extending period of time when it's OK to pay through the nose for everything "because it's Christmas".
My points being:
2005, September 24th. The Dome in Edinburgh started to erect their Christmas decorations at the front entrance. SEPTEMBER for crying out loud. I haven't looked yet this year, I have this built-in defence mechanism that stops me looking in that direction when I walk past.
Retailers - Gone are the days when Christmas stuff appeared after Hallowe'en, Displays now appear in September too. In the local supermarket is a big display of selection packs, many cases showing they are actually selling them. Only the other Saturday in Morrisons MOTS picked up some advent calendars, to me yelling at her "PUT THEM BAAAAAAAAAACK". But why? Because, if people buy them in September the shops will start putting them out in August.
On the intranet at work there's looming deadlines for ordering corporate Greetings cards.
Hotels, restaurants, bars, all charging inflated prices for food, with "non-refundable deposits", cramming you in, lowering the food standards, asking 15% extra for "service". Yeah, right... I know what "deposits" I'd be leaving.
I hate Christmas the festive period.
Leave a Coke out
for Santa, kids!!But will all that change now there's a reason to start enjoying the festive period Christmas again? I hope so, over the next few years Santa will be a major player (hmm, why does he wear red again, is that the marketing machine that is a global corporation by the name of Coca-Cola?). See, you can't get away from it, every turn, squeeze the cash, squeeze the cash, even when I try to look at it as a new dad, there's the corporate money machine squeezing every penny.
I can safely say I'm looking forward to this year with a fear like no other. With it being Junior's first the house will be full, with a revolving door. Food planning is starting just now, will it be M&S (not bloody likely after the poor quality of the last couple of years), the full monty (not bloody likely with a house full), going out (not bloody likely with the cost of it) or fish fingers and chips (not bloody likely unless it's haddock).
Stress like no other! So I am looking forward to Junior's first Christmas? Not bloody likely.
Anyway, my wish-list will appear here:
- Hibernation between October 30th & January 15th
Comments
Grump.
I'm with you on the rest of it though. Apparently they've proven that the 25th isn't even the birth of Christ - imagine that. [Sarcasm a plenty].
To me it's another day like 2nd Cousin twice removed day, it's made up for marketing purposes.
That said, what can be better than being with family, exchanging gifts, and having far too much food and drink?
Posted by: Richard Brunton | October 9, 2006 3:23 PM
The ONLY positive side is a guaranteed 2 days off, IF you're not on call. Or work in retail, where Christmas Day is now fair game.
In fact, there's an idea - get out of the house and go to the Next sale on Christmas morning...
There's another idea - hold off exchanging gifts until AFTER lunch, having bought your gear in the sale in the morning. Result!
I love you for giving me fantatsic ideas, Rich!
Posted by: Lee ? | October 9, 2006 6:04 PM
Dude, Costco was stocking Christmas decorations back in August. My policy this year is that no-one is allowed to buy me any gifts. Instant reduction in consumption, while allowing me to minimize accusations of miserliness.
Posted by: Martin | October 9, 2006 9:51 PM
Costco can [almost] be forgiven, they are a wholesaler selling to small traders as well as plebs like us.
Love your policy though, it's looking like one step away from cancelling Christmas altogether. OK if I "enhance" this one?
Posted by: Lee ? | October 10, 2006 10:40 AM
The defence mechanism failed, I caught sight of The Dome. In full decoration...
Posted by: Lee | October 11, 2006 7:00 PM
xmas is for the burds. wish they would fly away and take it with them.
amen.
Posted by: pablo | October 14, 2006 12:40 PM
Hey, Pablo, what right do you have to moan about Christmas? You'll be sunning yourself on the beach this year will you not?
Want a visitor? I'll bring the baby, maybe the wife too. And some Scottish beer (OK, I'll bring English beer)
Posted by: Lee | October 14, 2006 1:44 PM
Christmas is wonderful! You know why Christmas falls on its day?Cuz Jesus was conceived on this day.And it's our joy that we celebrate the forgiveness of sin on this day.Rejoice and worship the Lord!
Posted by: Jacob | November 20, 2006 2:40 PM