I'm sure I can't be the only person to have noticed how many miserable faces there are around at the moment. So many people are complaining about Christmas. It seems so much worse than previous years.
The papers are full of articles about debts spiralling and how much expectation there is to provide all the must have presents, especially for children.
I have always disliked Christmas, from the days when, as the youngest, by far, of four daughters I watched my mum slave away for days and days to produce the perfect Christmas Day only for the rest of the family to consume everything without a word of thanks.
Now with children of my own I appreciate the pressures. So much so that this year I have insisted that hubby gets involved with the organisation of everything from pressies to food.
The highlight of Christmas has already happened for me. My little boy was a cute Joseph in the Nativity play, complete with tea towel and my daughter sang her heart out at her carol service. Everything else will be a disappointment.
We have Lists for Santa but on the understanding that he only brings some things and at least one present from him will be a game to share.
Why have we become so commercialised, so American and so tacky? When did the flashing lights, inflatable snowmen and fluorescent reindeer become de rigour?
I sound as though I want to bring back the tangerine and the sugar mouse, which incidently I don't remember! Perhaps I want to reestablish the sense of family togetherness and cosiness that was lacking when I was a child. So many arguments are due to too high expectations so let's lower them and enjoy being together and cuddling up in front of Doctor Who!
2 comments:
i couldn't agree more. why all of us are trying to be americanised in our celebrations of age old traditions is something i dont follow very well myself. my mum used to be slaving away all the while at family gatherings, without so much as a thank you to her credit. it would definitely be a lot better if the family could just sit around, get comfy and do some real talking to each other rather than expecting the world and more as presents that get only more expensive every year.
Thanks for the comment. Maybe it's because I'm a mum now that I realise just how much effort can go into Christmas.
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