Just one month ago we were out frightening children and feeding them excessive calories, then as soon as the ghoulish costumes were put away the bloody ad's started. Christmas had arrived.
We've now just witnessed 'Black Friday' (or should that be 'Ethnic Friday' in such PC times?), and my suspicions about chavvy, loads-a-money, Britain have been confirmed. The 'less-educated' just can't wait to spend, spend, spend; whether it be with actual cash, pay-day loans, or by ethereal credit cards.
I for one am already pissed-off by all the Christmas hype. This doesn't mean that I shall not be celebrating the big day; I shall. We will exchange simple gifts, I'll buy Swiss chocolate reindeers (yes, those) for the local children, and I shall roast a sensible sized Turkey that will keep us in food for several days. But that's it.
Goodness knows who this Christ chap was, or even if he existed at all. What we do know is that in 320 AD at the Council of Nicea, he was 'deified', and the old festival of Saturnalia was replaced by Christmas; his invented 'birthday' date.
Now, two millennia later, we (not me) fight over flat screen TV's, toasters, laptops, and mobile phones, as the larger stores desperately try to outdo each others 'Special Offers' for the 'Special Season'.
What a bloody state of affairs. May I suggest that all intelligent folk now wait till at least December 15th before thinking about Christmas again.
Luckily this year the two day Turkey Fest' falls on weekdays; Thursday 25th, and Friday 26th. No need to buy as if for siege, no need to empty the bakery shelves of your local Hypermarket, and no need for any holiday panic whatsoever. The shops will all be open again for the weekend.
Will the chavs listen? No, of course not. They'll all be out at Toys-r-us, Asda, or Walmart, buying coloured plastics as if they're on the extinction list, food as if about to disappear, and booze as if being sober for 2 days was a hanging offence.
I know that this subject has been written about ad infi-bloody-nitum, but better that than ignored.
I could not believe the number of people who were just out at the "Dollar Shop" buying Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and candy canes like Christmas was tomorrow. It really was bizarre. I thought I was in some parallel dimension watching on.
ReplyDeleteSo it's the same in NZ? This is getting out of hand!
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Being the lone organiser for 16/17 guests most of whom stay for two nights I have no choice but to start thinking about it early. However, having ordered all my gifts on line I can now sit back and feel smug as others fight their way through the crowds.
ReplyDeleteAs for 'Black Friday' - of all the things we've imported from the US, I think this is one of the worst.
17 guests? I have just one (veggie), a few days before Christmas. I'd like more but we are a widespread family.
DeleteYour post has saved me the trouble of getting irate and writing a similar one Cro. I am ashamed to see my fellow men fighting, pushing one another over and struggling with enormous parcels in a frenzy.
ReplyDeleteI hate fuss and I hate doing things at the last minute. I love sending Christmas cards and having moved around a lot during my long life, I have friends all over and Christmas is the time for contact. My cards (charity) were bought six weeks ago, every Tuesday I call at the post office and buy a book of second class stamps and each day now I sit down for an hour and write a few letters and cards. All done and dusted by the end of this week - and no fuss. Presents for grandchildren are vouchers on line - the farmer and I intend to leave it until after Christmas and treat one another to a lovely outing somewhere. Turkey already in freezer. Puds and cakes made. Tree growing in the wood ready for cutting. Time to sit back and enjoy the run up to Christmas whether you are religious or not. Just a day for family and friends in my book. Glad you feel the same. Oh, and by the waym thanks for doing that post on making your own mincemeat - made some yesterday, for the first time in years - smells gloriously boozy - am just about to put it in jars.
When Turkeys arrive in the shops I shall buy one and freeze. Then about 2 days before the 25th I shall hope to buy a fresh one. If none is available I shall take out the frozen one. I enjoy that last minute thrill.
DeleteWell said Cro. I was ashamed and embarrassed to see the results of "Black Friday". I love Christmas Day and Christmas Eve carols from Cambridge but the hype before hand makes me cringe. I really loathe the commercial brainwashing that the Christmas season brings. I hybernate!
ReplyDeleteCarols from Kings, roast Turkey, and Jools Holland on new year's eve, and that's me happy.
DeleteThank Heavens we don't do Black Friday here yet. I guess it's just a matter of time as we seem to copy everything else. I try to keep low key coming up to Christmas otherwise I turn into a real old Scrooge and spoil it for everyone. I completely agree with everything you've said today. I look forward to the family gathering and we've put a limit on the gifts this year. The younger folk especially need to watch their pennies and most of us have no need of any more "stuff".
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, and I think we're members of an increasing club of people who are whole-heartedly sick of the ever-increasing hype and commercial exercise that Christmas has become.
ReplyDeleteWhat must you think of us, sitting in your rural idyl in the South of France? Oh, hang on a minute - you've just told us.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's only the printable bits.
DeleteI'm at the point now where if it wasn't for the grands I really would rather ditch the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteTimes like this, I'm glad I don't have a TV bringing all this crap into my sitting room! Have people gone quite mad? I heard a report on the radio about "Black Friday" near-riots and in the background I could hear women screaming. It is shameful to lose one's dignity like that.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful.
DeleteI couldn't agree more, to me Christmas is a feeling, about spending lovely times with my family. It is not about spending lots of cash on pointless rubbish. Thankfully my 9 year old has not been brainwashed, I think it's because he doesn't watch much tv (of course I won't put it down to parental influence ;)
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
Cro, I didn't know that Black Friday was enjoyed (I'm being sarcastic) outside of the U.S. Here it comes the day after our holiday known as Thanksgiving. I've never participated in Black Friday and never will. Hints of Christmas start showing up in the big name stores in September and by the end of October, it's full blown Christmas. I give gift cards to the grandkids and money to the kids. My family is spread hundreds of miles (kilometers) away and who really knows what a teenage grand daughter wants for Christmas. My time is spent putting out 80 some Christmas cards. My cards are not just a sign and mail card for the sake of sending a card. A significant message for the season is written by me and sent in the card as well as a Christmas letter telling what's been going on through out the year. So for the next two weeks that will be the production in my house. It's a costly event in itself but as I run into the recipients during the following year, they always tell me how much they enjoy receiving my cards. They know it's not just a "Happy Holidays" and a signature when they get one from me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can navigate through the commercialization of this season and enjoy Christmas as a season of giving and not spending. Have a great and joyous Christmas season.
I believe that this was the first time this wretched Black Friday really took off in the UK. I imagine it'll now be with them forever. Not a good import!
DeleteChristmas, what's that? I will have to find something to eat for Christmas Day, a bit like you, I will be leaving it to chance Christmas week, there is always something there in the last couple of days.
ReplyDeleteBlack Friday, retailers, you cant blame them, if it's a chance to sell they will jump onto the band wagon and if we're fickle enough to jump on, good luck to them.
ReplyDeleteYou have echoed my thoughts exactly - what a farce.
ReplyDeleteIt's so awful, and I am truly sorry to hear that the madness is spreading. I thought only crass Americans acted this way.
ReplyDeleteMoney rules and marketing works. I remember my husband standing in line for an hour (during daylight hours) many years ago to get a Cabbage Patch Doll for one of my daughters. Today, we would order it on-line.
ReplyDelete