They might have trouble getting turkeys, mince pies, children's toys and Christmas trees.
Well, who says Christmas has to include all these things anyway? Christmas is just a holiday, and you can celebrate it any way you want. Will Christmas really be ruined if you can't chomp a mince pie, or guzzle some turkey?
There are plenty of tasty foods you could have instead. And plenty of alternative toys. And will the world come to an end if you have no Christmas tree?
Surely the only important thing is to be enjoying yourself, and enjoying the company of your family or friends. People who're going nuts because they can't have all the traditional trimmings are being ridiculous.
When I was young, Christmas was a much simpler affair, and not the massive consumption-frenzy it is today. I don't recall having turkey or mince pies, though I may just not remember them. We had a few token decorations like paper chains. We did have a Christmas tree. But we didn't have all the fashionable and wildly expensive children's toys that are now deemed essential or little Rebecca might throw a tantrum.
One thing we didn't have when I was a kid, but which is now a crucial part of my Christmas, is a daily tipple of white wine. If there was a severe wine shortage, then I might very well throw a serious tantrum. A cup of tea would not be a passable substitute.
I’m so weary of the media sending folks into buying frenzies with these shortage warnings. Well, of course we will have shortages now because we’ve got people hoarding holiday foods and popular toys. I just ignore it and make due with what’s available. And we have a wine cellar in the basement, so no worries there!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: True, the warnings about shortages become a self-fulfilling prophecy as everyone rushes out to stockpile. And yes, what's wrong with just using whatever's available?
DeleteChristmas Day was not a public holiday in Scotland when I was a child, but we did have paper chains, a tree - with real candles - and presents....a stocking containing notebook and pencils, a chocolate bar, nuts and a tangerine. So I suppose I grew up not making a fetish of the day. I feel sorry for people who are worried sick about not getting their paws on the latest toy for their child....not a concern for the parents of the child born in a stable.
ReplyDeleteFly: Our tree also had real candles on it. I would look at them wobbling about and be quite sure a fire was imminent. I also had a stocking, always with a tangerine in the toe.
DeleteI don't participate and haven't for years. We celebrate Solstice, the coming of the light and have an Icelandic tradition of exchanging books. And that's it. Period.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a Jesus he must be horrified at how his birth (which actually occurred in the spring) is defiled.
XO
WWW
www: Indeed, why participate in Christmas and add to the consumption mania? Of course you're also keen on Nollaig na mBan – Women’s Christmas - which is a great tradition.
DeleteI like the idea of exchanging books.
we Never had a rich or fancy Christmas. one of my favorites was in Leadville Colorado! it the early 50's it was still very much an old mining town. we ate sandwiches in an old saloon that was the only pub/cafe in town! it was snowy and fascinating. maybe children today would be bored. I don't know. life was simpler then. it was actually wonderful! xo
ReplyDeleteTammy: Sandwiches in an old mountain town - that's an unusual sort of Christmas! It sounds rather fun.
DeleteWe have a low key Christmas. Since no one likes turkey, we have a chicken and cornbread dressing. It is a shame how commercial Christmas has become. It shows the power of marketing. With small kids, they often enjoy the box better than the toy. When I was a kid my brothers and I loved to get a larg e box. We would take turns getting in and the others would help rotate and turn the box.
ReplyDeleteAnn: Intriguing that no one likes turkey. And intriguing that as a kid you loved playing with boxes. I had a little cart I used to load with empty milk bottles and pretend I was the milkman!
DeleteI have the feeling people stopped to think by themselves. They demonstrate for the climat, but go shopping even if they need nothing. I stopped buying clothes etc years ago.only buy what I really need and feel good. You can make as you say a wonderful Christmas dinner with whatever you have, just a question of imagination.Children rooms are overloaded with toys they generally do not play with. I have no religion but as we live in nations with mostly Christian culture just let us share. In my family we invite always people who are alone, sick and also homeless. A fulfilling human exchange.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Absolutely, people go shopping even if they need nothing. And as you say, children often have lots of toys they never play with. Good for you inviting people in for Christmas. I have to admit I've never done that.
DeleteI think the media invents these issues half the time. I don't know anyone in a flap about it.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: The media like to get a half-story and whip it up into something enormous. Like you, I've never heard anyone even mention it. More likely there will be plenty of everything.
DeleteOur equivalent to Christmas, Diwali is in full swing as I write this and from all accounts, pent up desires over the last year are being catered to by vigorous shopping. A measure of our economic strength I guess.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, the spirit of the festival is very much alive and kicking and families everywhere do seem to be having grand reunions and enjoying themselves.
Ramana: Vigorous shopping, eh? I suspect there will be vigorous shopping here too as Christmas approaches. People go crazy and it's just buy buy buy. Glad to hear of all those grand reunions.
DeleteNo reason people can't have something else for dinner on Christmas. I make a turkey on Thanksgiving so we don't have turkey again on Christmas. I usually make a ham.
ReplyDeleteMary: Indeed, there are plenty of other things to eat. Why not branch out a little?
DeleteHere’s a novel idea for all those people who buy a shed load of stuff for their spoilt children - forget that, give some money to a charity. I really dislike Christmas now, it’s just a huge commercial enterprise designed to get us to spend as much money as possible, or get into debt. I also hate the media, they enjoy creating panic, and the hoarding idiots buy into it. We haven’t had turkey for years and we’re not bothered about not having a table groaning with food. I’m the same age as you Nick and I can remember chicken being a once a year treat for Christmas, and presents were simple practical things like gloves, scarves and maybe a new dress, shoes or coat (not all at once), and always an orange or some satsumas. Can you imagine what darling little Rebecca would think of that.
ReplyDeletePolly: Indeed, what would little Rebecca think of that? It would be tantrum central as she demanded something fabulously expensive. And yes, why not give to a charity rather than dish out presents which the recipients might instantly dislike. I guess we must have had chicken for our Christmas dinner as well.
DeleteP.S. I will be doing my mince pie survey again though :-) !!
ReplyDeletePolly: I look forward to that!
DeleteWhen I was growing up, the Christmas season was not "official" until after Thanksgiving was over. Stores did not decorate or play endless holiday music until that holiday had passed. Now, it's a mad rush to get everything out even before Halloween, which irks me to no end. We do not have a traditional dinner and so therefore are not upset by so-called shortages, which seem to be media hype. Unfortunately it seems spending for things not needed has become the norm. I liked Polly's suggestion about giving to a charity in someone's name, but fear recipients would not understand or appreciate the gesture.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: The media bangs on about shortages, so people rush out to stockpile, then surprise surprise there really are shortages. The Christmas hype starts very early here, a good two months before Christmas.
DeleteTrue, those receiving the donation might not understand the Christmas connection.
We stay stocked up on wine. But the rest is pretty negotiable for me. I don't have kids who are toy-aged and I can cook any number of things for dinner. We aren't even doing a tree this year since there is no space in this little rental house.
ReplyDeleteAgent: Wine is essential but all the other Christmas trimmings can easily be dispensed with - including Santa and his sack of toys and his reindeer and his "ho ho ho".
DeleteI’m not locked in to what Christmas must be like as it has varied widely for me throughout my lifetime, often due to circumstances beyond my control. Certainly, some years have been more memorable than others. We each make our own happiness and what others bring to it is icing on the cake. My icing this year will arrive virtually.
ReplyDeleteI have observed the increasing commercialization of Christmas and many other holidays during my lifetime which I think has done little to enhance our lives. In fact, I think for many this has had an adverse effect — whether some are celebrated as religious holidays or secular ones.
Joared: Indeed, we each make our own happiness, whether we observe Christmas traditions or not. As for commercialisation, our local supermarket was today absolutely overflowing with children's toys, all plastic and no doubt imported from China.
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