I REALLY, REALLY DISLIKE CHRISTMAS, REALLY.
Okay, there you go. I could walk away now, saying that and going home to find my door-knocker is in fact the face of my ex business partner warning me of three ghosts that will visit me at night, forcing me into buying a gigantic turkey and feeding a family of my own poor employees. Let me try to explain.
Christmas. The Birthday of Christ. Although I am not Christian I can agree that if you are, then it's a pretty good reason to celebrate. A day for family, prayer, reflection etcetera.
It's not that though, is it. It's very materialistic. It's too materialistic. It's the presents I dislike most. Don't get me wrong, I've been exposed to the same propaganda as the rest.. I love receiving stuff. It's that after feeling of guilt, that people wasted their money on all these things I really didn't want or dare I say it, I don't like. It's the guilt that I allowed my own self to feel that WANT for these things. But so much at once.. how do you handle that much greedy wanting?
That perfect season they are selling - it doesn't exist for those who sell it.
Okay so the people at the top of the retail sector want you to have the perfect Christmas. Buy all this food! Buy all these gifts! Enjoy the 12 days of Christmas! Yeah.. a marvellous idea. I'm sure the guy on the till who sold you your re-packaged skincare products will have a marvellous ONE DAY OFF. You see, he's going to be working until 9pm on Christmas Eve changing all the Christmas banners to HALF PRICE SALE banners. He will then be attending work at 7am Boxing day to sell all the stuff you paid so much more for just 48 hours ago. You know that £10 gift set? Well guess what, it can be sold at £5 and still make a massive profit for that company. If all the figures are correct, Boxing day is in fact the biggest day for sales in the retail calender..
Yep. The biggest shopping spend day of the year isn't even before the 'big day'.
I'm not a complete miser you know...
I sound like Scrooge. I know. It's not all bad. There are some things about Christmas that will always be a bit of fun. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the things even I think are okay about Christmas:
- The music - It's awesome isn't it. Classical Christmas music is magical. Even some of the more modern stuff is enough to get even the most miserly person to smile.
- It's right next to Yule - Yule is the pagan festival that gives hope that light will return soon. It takes place on the darkest day (21st Dec) and is a chance to gather together and have some food and enjoy the winter, knowing that spring will return again.
- Crafting - Arts and Crafts are awesome. Christmas lover or hater, I make all my own cards for the season and wish that more people would do the same, be it cards or gifts. How wonderful to receive a gift that has been handmade for Christmas.
That's three whole things that I like about Christmas. And they are all things you can actually enjoy without Christmas. Oh dear.
