Back in 2013 there were more people blogging and some used their blog posts to go on and on about how they hated the commercialisation of Christmas. Here's what I wrote when I got fed up with all the carping!
Every year some people seem to get themselves into a tizzy about the approach of Christmas. They are worrying about the commercialism, the never ending ads on TV. The over eating. The debt. But I can't see the point of getting all "het up" about it ( as we say in Suffolk).
You can preach all you like but there will always be some people who go completely OTT. This is the time that shops take the most money, so of course they are going to advertise. You don't HAVE to buy what they are trying to persuade you to spend on.
However much money you give some people they would still spend it on things others consider unnecessary. However little money some other people have they will still spend it all and borrow more.
You can be annoyed at the shops playing Christmas songs in November, but there's no point in raising your blood pressure over it. Just do your shopping and leave.
You can be an all-the-year-round Christian or at only-at -Christmas-church visitor but you will be made welcome whoever you are. And if you are not - then find another church next year because if a church doesn't make a stranger feel welcome then they are not doing what they should be doing. You can be Pagan or Atheist as long as no one is hurt by your beliefs or non beliefs.
You can stay at home, read a good book, watch TV or go to huge family parties, in the whole great scheme of things as long as you are not hurting anyone then it doesn't matter.
You can spend a fortune on presents, make them or buy them second-hand. If the recipient doesn't like it then it's their problem not yours.
CHILL
It's just Christmas, it happens every year. Enjoy it or not.
BUT DON'T GO ON AND ON ABOUT IT!
Thank goodness the world of blogging seems a much calmer place in 2024!
Back Soon
Sue
It may only be once a year but it is a special time. Now that I'm older I just take it as it comes.
ReplyDeleteI love to read about how others do or don't celebrate at Christmastime. But as you quite rightly state, however anyone chooses to spend the festive season, there's no need to get het up about it. Xx
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy Christmas in my own time, not that of others. Now, it's just another day. Actually, it's not just another day because it is the loneliest day of my year and I can't wait for it to be over. It has different meanings for everyone and what we should be doing is respect that and get on with it. Unfortunately, the Marmite Factor is now extending to Hallowe'en, and with Thanksgiving starting to lap at our shores we are on a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with your post then and still do. Christmas is special for me because of my faith. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share joy and love with others. I'm truly sad for those we ho find it a difficult and lonely time
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought about it, but yes, there does seem to be a lot less moaning in blogland these days. Perhaps those who did the moaning have got bored of blogging or perhaps after the pandemic and all the turbulence of the last few years they have just decided to count their blessings. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteVery true. I love the hustle and bustle of Xmas, haven't bought a Xmas magazine yet but the brightness of it all in the dark days cheers one up.
ReplyDeleteLive and let live. I feel sad for those who find Christmas hard and maybe they wouldn't if it weren't rammed down their throats. Just like any other celebration, avoiding media seems to be the answer.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this time of year, both hubby and I like to have most of it sorted early, we are not last minute people, we are all different, like you I don't like the moaners, my mum had the attitude to 'just get on with it' I'm still not decorating our house before December is here.
ReplyDeleteI notice people start complaining earlier and earlier! But I tune them out. I have very simple holidays, and enjoy them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we are all older and wiser, and can now relax into all these over-commercialised moments on the calendar. Nowadays it's mostly a case of live and let live, although there are a few little moaners out there ... I mean bloody hell I have my moments!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do miss a lot of our original blogging gang that have disappeared totally off the radar. How do you feel about a bit of old-school Blogmas this year?
I'll be doing a photo-a-day of something Christmassy or Wintery as usual
DeleteI always enjoy Blogmas. I think I might try again this year.
DeleteWell said, Sue! (I confess, I'm not thrilled seeing Christmas trees going up before Halloween, but it's what it is.) You make excellent points. As for me, I tend to be an over the top person and it's hard for me to wait till after Thanksgiving to start! This year -- I might start a day or two before!
ReplyDeleteI loved this and it was a timely reminder not to get het up about any aspect of the upcoming festivities. TQ x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Well said 11 years ago!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and all the festivities. No complaining here!
ReplyDeleteNext week I'll buy my big live tree. Finding the loveliest tree is fun.
I ignore all the commercialization and just do my own thing....enjoying every minute.
Thank you to everyone above for comments, I love Christmas too and manage to do it without anger, stress and debt!!
ReplyDeleteI think Sue H is right - we are all older and wiser!
My parents and later my inlaws and now-ex husband are/ were very frugal , stingy about Christmas. It isn't an attractive or warm ''look''. Sorry if this is ''going on''.
ReplyDeleteEveryone celebrates differently and that is what makes it so very wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Completely agree. Our Christmas has never been a religious one, but we celebrate it as a time to get together as a family, to appreciate one another and to treat one another with a few gifts.
ReplyDelete