Janet CollinsIt's starting to feel a lot like Christmas..
December 5th 2006 10:43
Christmas presents - the joy of giving
The work is getting harder and the deadlines are strained - employers are cracking the whips and no-one has the time to stop and ask "why?" Having just discovered that I won't be getting any shifts - and consequently any money - this week, I thought I'd use my time wisely. Because if we learnt anything from the rise and rise and eventual stock market-esque crash of Enron it is "Ask Why".
Mr. Kringle, K-Mart is putting up their tinsel and JB-HiFi has just released a special Christmas edition of their catalogue. Troubling times. It's cash-in season for the retailers and a whole lot of seasonal love (for those who can afford it) is spreading like wildfire. So why does a festivity boasting intentions so pure, and joy so infectious bring so much pent-up angst, frustration and general sadness to the vast majority of Western civilization. I know this wasn't your intention. Have we done something wrong? In response to my question, last year "Are you looking forward to December 25th?": a sad-looking woman responded: "I wish I could afford a Christmas, but I can't."
The elves are working so hard to get us what we want, and I know it wasn't meant to cost us anything. But western society is built heavily on concepts of wealth and pride - and in spite of your efforts, corporate-driven consumerism (supported by credit card companies and financial institutions) is alienating the needy, the homeless and the financially crippled. Whether people are paying a mortgage, renting, studying or supporting a family, I think now is the time to forget the Jet Force 2000 bagless vacuum and the latest ab-sculpting technology. It just doesn't seem fair that "the man" is getting rich, whilst we get poor and lonely.
I just wish someone could tell them to leave the credit card at home, take their paid holiday leave and enjoy Christmas with those who won't judge, won't pressure and won't hate them for not buying a purebred golden retriever - their family.
Please bring Christmas back home -
Your Faithful Little Helper - The Social Critic.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Another good post! I love xmas itself, but honestly its crippling. I hate the shopping...there's so many people I end up with shopping centre rage. And then there's the credit card debt that you're left with (why, why do I insist on using my credit card!).
Xmas shouldn't be about presents anyway. It's about having a well earned break from work, lazing round with the house with family that you may or may not like and eating and drinking too much.
Lets focus on that instead of presents.
KylieW
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I heard on the radio yesterday that something like 75% of us hate shopping at xmas time for presents.
So it is a good question you ask. Why do we do it to ourselves?
Good post.
Love & stuff
Mrs M